管理学是一门综合性学科。管理过程的动态性、复杂性和管理对象的多样性决定了管理所要借助的知识、方法和手段的多样化。
管理学是一门软科学。影响管理的因素很多，包括不可控和不确定因素。在管理学中没有一成不变或“永恒”的定理，必须对具体问题作具体分析。
管理学是一门实践性很强的学科。管理对象的复杂性和管理环境的多变性决定了运用管理知识的技巧性、灵活性和创造性。仅靠学校的理论教学是培养不出“合格”管理者的，因此必须在实践中学会管理。
管理学是一门发展中的学科。它与社会经济发展紧密相关，其理论正处于新旧更迭的关键时期，必将随着经济的发展和科技的进步而不断发展。
管理学的这些特点，决定了它既是一门科学又是一种艺术。
说它是科学的，是因为其遵循并反映了客观规律，形成了一套完整的学科体系。但我们不仅要通过理论教学来学习管理理论、管理方式和管理方法，更要运用案例、调查、模拟、游戏等实践形式来认真地领会和品悟管理的艺术、管理的真谛。因为懂得管理知识并不意味着能在实践中正确与灵活地运用。
对于相似的管理对象，相似的管理环境和相似的管理运作，由于管理者的个体差异，往往产生截然不同的管理效果，有的事与愿违，有的平平淡淡，有的精妙绝伦。这种因人而异，精彩纷呈，意料之外的管理“亮点”，可谓管理的艺术。管理艺术性的发挥既取决于管理者理论水平的高低和管理知识的多寡，更在于管理者个人的智慧、激情和灵感发挥。
Why
Study Management?
Management teaches you to understand how people behave inorganisations, and the nature of power, influence and leadership. Whether you aim to be self-employed, an entrepreneur, head your own company; or to work forprivate business, not-for-profit organisations or government agencies –Management gives you the tools for success!
Explore the issues facing individuals and organisations in theworkplace today. There are many reasons to study Management.
1. Study Management and work in-and-through organisations
Your career will surely involve working in organisations,regardless of your chosen career path. As an economist, or marketer – or indeedin any job – your effectiveness at work depends on your understanding of theorganisation you work in, and how to get things done through it.
2. Learn about organisations and individuals in Management
You need to understand how people behave in organisations, thesources of power and influence, and the nature of leadership. Learn aboutorganisations, and the people within them, in our courses on:
o Organisation Behaviour
o Organisation Theory
o Communication
o Employment Relations
3. Connect to the world
Management can take you places. New Zealand is one of the smallest– and is the most isolated – country on earth. We need to work extra hard atconnecting to the global economy. Your career could take you to one of thegreat centres of global economic activity: New York, London, Tokyo.
Do you want to understand more about how to be effective in internationalas well as national contexts?
Keen to understand the global business system and the giant globalcorporations that run it?
If so – study International Management at Otago to get your careerflying!
4. Discover how organisations work
Organisations are fascinating! Learn to understand organisationsbetter, and make them work for you. We can help you gain that advantage foryour future career.
Have you ever wondered:
o Why organisations even exist?
o Why organisations arrange theactivity that goes on within and around them in the way that they do?
o Why every organisation isdifferent – even when they are direct competitors in the same industry?
o If you answered yes to any of theabove then studying with us in the Department of Management is perfect for you!
5. Learn how to be a manager, or manage your own business
If you become a manager, your role will be to direct, lead, plan,manage, encourage, cajole, coach and organise all activity within theorganisation. Or maybe you’d prefer to be your own boss – self-employed, anentrepreneur, or the head of your own company?
Wherever your career takes you, benefit from the models andinsights and answers we have to offer. Begin preparation for your future withour specialist courses in:
o Human Resource Management
o Operations Management
o Strategic Management
