The principles of management are said to be flexible as : (A) they aim at influencing behaviour of human being

Question

Q. The principles of management are said to be flexible as : (A) they aim at influencing behaviour of human beings. (B) they are general guidelines to action, but do not provide readymade solutions to management problems. (C) they can be modified by the manager when the situation so demands. (D) their application is dependent upon the prevailing situation at a particular point of time.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2020MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★

✓ Free question

Concept understanding — Principles Flexibility

Principles of Flexibility — A First Look

Think of a bamboo tree in a storm. It bends low, almost touching the ground, but does not break. When the storm passes, it springs back upright. A rigid oak, by contrast, might snap under the same force. That ability to bend without breaking, to adjust shape under pressure and return to form — that is flexibility in the physical world.

Now bring that same idea into the world of business and management. A company faces constant change: new competitors, shifting customer tastes, government policy updates, economic ups and downs. A rigid organisation — one that insists on doing everything exactly as it always has — will crack under such pressure. A flexible one adapts its methods, its rules, even its goals, while still holding firm to its core purpose.

The precise meaning

In management studies, Principles of Flexibility refers to the idea that managerial principles, procedures, and organisational structures must be adaptable to changing circumstances. No rule is absolute. What worked brilliantly for a company in 2010 may be obsolete in 2025. A flexible manager knows when to relax a standard operating procedure, when to modify a policy, and when to abandon an old practice entirely.

The NCERT textbook puts it clearly: management principles are not rigid prescriptions. They are flexible guidelines that can be modified according to the situation. This is what distinguishes a living, breathing organisation from a dead bureaucracy.

Important

Flexibility does not mean having no principles at all. It means applying principles intelligently, with judgement, rather than mechanically. A flexible manager still follows principles — but adapts them to fit the specific context, people, and time.

Why flexibility matters

Consider a simple example. A retail store has a rule: "All sales are final; no refunds." That principle works well in normal times. But suppose a customer buys an expensive gift, and the recipient already owns one. If the store rigidly refuses a refund, it loses that customer forever. A flexible approach — offering store credit or an exchange — keeps the customer happy and preserves long-term loyalty. The principle (no refunds) was not wrong; it just needed bending for a special case.

Flexibility matters for several reasons:

Business environment is dynamic. Laws change, technology advances, competitors innovate. A rigid organisation cannot survive.
Human behaviour is unpredictable. Employees and customers do not always fit neat categories. Flexible rules allow for individual differences.
No two situations are identical. A principle that worked in one factory may need adjustment in another, even within the same company.
Innovation requires room to experiment. If every deviation from procedure is punished, no one will try new ideas.

A note from the NCERT perspective

The NCERT textbook for Class XII Business Studies discusses flexibility as a key nature of management principles. It states that principles are "flexible" — they can be adapted and modified by managers as the situation demands. This is one of the features that distinguishes management principles from the rigid laws of pure science. In physics, the law of gravity does not bend for convenience. In management, the principle of division of work can be relaxed if a small team needs to handle multiple roles.

Note

The NCERT also emphasises that flexibility does not mean "no discipline." It means intelligent application. A manager who bends every rule for every employee creates chaos, not flexibility. The art lies in knowing when to bend and how much.

In practice: what a flexible manager does

Assesses the situation before applying a principle, rather than applying it blindly.
Modifies procedures when the context clearly demands it — for example, relaxing a strict deadline when a team member faces a genuine emergency.
Reviews principles periodically to see if they still serve the organisation's goals.
Encourages feedback from employees about which rules help and which hinder.
Distinguishes between core values (which should not change) and operational rules (which can and should change).

The bottom line

Principles of Flexibility is not a separate principle you memorise. It is a quality that all good management principles possess. When you study any management principle — whether it is division of work, unity of command, or scalar chain — remember that each one comes with an invisible tag: "Apply with judgement, not with rigidity."

A student who understands flexibility understands that management is not a set of commands to be followed robotically. It is a practice that requires wisdom, context-sensitivity, and the courage to adapt. That is what separates a good manager from a great one.

Flexibility of management principles specifically means a manager can modify them to suit a changing situation — unlike the rigid laws of physical science.

Management principles have several distinct characteristics — universal applicability, general guidelines, formed by practice and experimentation, a behavioural nature, cause-and-effect relationships, contingent/situational application, and flexibility. Each of these is a SEPARATE characteristic with its own explanation. "Flexible" specifically means that, unlike the fixed laws of physical science, management principles are not rigid — a manager is free to modify or adapt a principle when the prevailing situation calls for it, since no two management situations are ever identical. Options (A) and (D) describe related but distinct characteristics (behavioural nature and contingency), while (B) describes the "general guideline" characteristic — the flexibility characteristic itself is best captured by the manager's ability to modify a principle to fit circumstances.

✓Final answer

(C) — flexibility means the principle can be modified by the manager as the situation demands.

Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

Showing the 12 most recent of 29 on this concept.

CBSE 2026Set 66/1/11 markMCQ
$Q. Match the principle of management given in Column - I with its explanation given in Column - II : Column - I$
(a) Discipline
(b) Unity of direction
(c) Order
(d) Unity of command Column – II
(i) There should be one and only one boss for every individual employee in the organisation.
(ii) There should be a place for everything (everyone) and everything (everyone) should be in its (his/her) place.
(iii) There should be obedience to organisational rules and employment agreement which is necessary for the working of the organisation.
(iv) Each group of activities having the same objective must have one head and one plan. Choose the correct option from the following :
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d) (A)
(iii)
(iv)
(i)
(ii) (B)
(iv)
(iii)
(ii)
(i) (C)
(iv)
(iii)
(i)
(ii) (D)
(iii)
(iv)
(ii) (i)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This question tests understanding of Henri Fayol's principles of management: Discipline, Unity of Direction, Order, and Unity of Command, by matching them with their correct explanations.

Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer, is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern management theory. His fourteen principles of management, developed from his own extensive administrative experience, provide a foundational framework for effective organizational structure and operation. These principles are not rigid rules but rather flexible guidelines that managers can adapt to various situations to enhance efficiency and achieve organizational objectives. Understanding these principles is crucial for anyone studying management, as they offer timeless insights into how organizations can be run effectively.

Let us delve into the specific principles mentioned in the question and their underlying explanations:

Discipline: This principle emphasizes the necessity of obedience to organizational rules and employment agreements. It is fundamental for the smooth functioning of any organization. Discipline requires good superiors at all levels, clear and fair agreements, and judicious application of penalties. Without discipline, chaos can ensue, and the organization's ability to achieve its goals is severely hampered. It fosters respect for authority and adherence to established norms, creating a productive work environment.

Unity of Direction: This principle states that there should be one head and one plan for a group of activities having the same objective. It ensures coordination and focus within the organization. For instance, all marketing activities aimed at increasing sales should fall under one marketing manager with a single, unified plan. This prevents duplication of effort, conflicting strategies, and ensures that all efforts are directed towards a common goal, leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness.

Order: Fayol's principle of Order refers to both material and social order. It dictates that there should be a designated place for everything and everyone, and everything and everyone should be in their designated place. This means having proper arrangements for physical resources (tools, materials) and human resources (employees). A well-ordered workplace minimizes wasted time and effort in searching for things or people, contributing to efficiency and a sense of stability. It ensures that resources are readily available when needed and that employees know their roles and positions within the organization.

Unity of Command: This principle is straightforward yet critical: an employee should receive orders from one and only one superior. If an employee reports to multiple bosses, they may receive conflicting instructions, leading to confusion, frustration, and a lack of accountability. Unity of Command ensures clarity in reporting relationships, prevents overlapping authority, and maintains a clear chain of command, which is essential for effective decision-making and smooth operations.

Important

Fayol's principles, while developed over a century ago, remain highly relevant in modern management. They provide a robust framework for understanding organizational structure and behavior, emphasizing the importance of clarity, discipline, and coordinated effort.

Now, let's match the principles from Column – I with their explanations in Column – II:

(a) Discipline matches with (iii) There should be obedience to organisational rules and employment agreement which is necessary for the working of the organisation. This directly reflects the essence of discipline as adherence to established norms and agreements.

(b) Unity of direction matches with (iv) Each group of activities having the same objective must have one head and one plan. This explanation perfectly captures the idea of a unified effort under a single leader and strategy for specific objectives.

(c) Order matches with (ii) There should be a place for everything (everyone) and everything (everyone) should be in its (his/her) place. This describes both material and social order, ensuring resources and personnel are appropriately located.

(d) Unity of command matches with (i) There should be one and only one boss for every individual employee in the organisation. This is the core definition of unity of command, preventing conflicting instructions and ensuring clear reporting lines.

Based on this matching, the correct option is:

- (iii)

- (iv)

- (ii)

- (i) This corresponds to option (D).
✓Final answer
$In short, the correct matching pairs Fayol's principles with their definitions: Discipline with obedience to rules, Unity of Direction with one head and one plan for common objectives, Order with a designated place for everything and everyone, and Unity of Command with a single boss for each employee. The correct option is (D) .$
CBSE 2026Set MARCH1 markMCQ
$Q. Principles of Management are not ____________.$
(a) Absolute
(b) Flexible
(c) Universal
(d) Behavioural
›Reveal solutionSolution

The correct option is (a) Absolute. Principles of management are relative, not absolute — they must be applied flexibly according to the situation.

✓Final answer
$(a) Absolute. Principles of management are NOT absolute. They are general guidelines, not rigid rules, so a manager must modify and adapt them to fit the actual situation. The remaining options are all true characteristics of these principles: (b) Flexible — they can be changed as per need; (c) Universal — they apply to all types of organisations; (d) Behavioural — they deal with human behaviour and relationships. Recognising that principles are flexible and relative (not absolute) is a key point in the Karnataka 2nd PUC Business Studies syllabus.$
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Which Management thinker gave the 14 Principles of Management?$
(a) Maslow
(b) Henry Fayol
(c) McGreger
(d) Elton Mayo
›Reveal solutionSolution

Henri Fayol gave the 14 principles of management.

Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer and administrator, is called the Father of Modern/General Management. He identified 14 principles of management — such as Division of Work, Authority and Responsibility, Discipline, Unity of Command, Unity of Direction, Subordination of individual interest to general interest, Remuneration, Centralisation and Decentralisation, Scalar Chain, Order, Equity, Stability of Personnel, Initiative and Esprit de Corps — as flexible guidelines for managing any organisation.

✓Final answer
$Option (b) Henry Fayol is correct.$
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Write True or False: Principles of management are "general guidelines".$
(a) True
(b) False
›Reveal solutionSolution

True; management principles are general guidelines.

The principles of management are broad, flexible statements that guide managerial thinking and action, rather than rigid, ready-made solutions. A manager applies and modifies them according to the situation. Because they only guide (not dictate) decisions, they are rightly called general guidelines. Hence the statement is true.

✓Final answer
$True.$
CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 mark
$Q. Write answer in one word/sentence: Where are the principles of management applicable?$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Management principles are universally applicable.

A key feature of the principles of management is universal applicability: they apply to every kind of organisation — large or small, business or non-business — and at all levels (top, middle, lower). They are general guidelines suited to all managerial situations. Hence the principles of management are applicable universally.

✓Final answer
$Universally (everywhere — all organisations and all levels).$
CBSE 2025Set 66/1/11 markMCQ
$Q.'The principles of management can be modified by the managers when the situation so demands.' This highlights which of the following feature of principles of management : (A) General guidelines (B) Flexible (C) Contingent (D) Mainly behavioural$
›Reveal solutionSolution
The ability to modify management principles according to situational demands highlights their flexible nature.

Management principles are fundamental truths or guidelines that serve as a basis for managerial action and decision-making. Unlike the rigid laws of pure science, which are universally applicable without modification, management principles are developed through observation and experimentation in human organisations. This inherent difference means they must adapt to the dynamic and complex environment in which businesses operate.

The statement, "The principles of management can be modified by the managers when the situation so demands," directly points to the flexible characteristic of these principles. Flexibility means that the principles are not absolute or static; they can be adjusted, adapted, or even combined differently to suit the specific requirements of a particular organisation, department, or even a unique problem.

Consider why this flexibility is crucial:

Dynamic Environment: The business world is constantly changing due to technological advancements, market shifts, economic conditions, and social trends. Rigid principles would quickly become obsolete.

Human Element: Management deals with human beings, whose behaviour is complex and unpredictable. What works for one group of employees or in one cultural context might not work in another.

Varying Organisational Contexts: Organisations differ vastly in size, structure, objectives, and culture. A principle like 'Division of Work' might be applied very strictly in a large manufacturing firm but much more loosely in a small, agile startup where employees wear multiple hats.

Experimentation and Innovation: Flexibility allows managers to experiment with new approaches and innovate, rather than being bound by a fixed set of rules.

Note

While management principles provide a framework, they are not prescriptive formulas. Managers must use their judgment and creativity to apply them effectively, often modifying them to fit the unique circumstances.

Let's briefly look at why the other options, while characteristics of management principles, are not the primary feature highlighted by the ability to modify them:

(A) General guidelines: This is true; principles are guidelines, not strict rules. However, the statement focuses on the ability to change these guidelines, which is flexibility, rather than just their guiding nature.

(C) Contingent: This means the application of principles is dependent on the prevailing situation. For example, the principle of 'Centralisation and Decentralisation' is applied based on the size and nature of the organisation. While closely related to flexibility (as flexibility allows for contingent application), the statement specifically mentions modification, which is the essence of flexibility. Contingency is about when and how to apply, while flexibility is about the capacity to change the principle itself.

(D) Mainly behavioural: Management principles are indeed mainly behavioural because they aim to influence human behaviour in organisations. However, this characteristic describes their focus, not their adaptability or modifiability.

Important

The ability to modify principles is what distinguishes them from scientific laws and makes them practical tools for managers in diverse and changing environments.

✓Final answer
$The statement highlights that management principles are flexible, meaning they can be adapted and modified by managers to suit the specific demands and unique situations of an organisation, rather than being rigid or absolute.$
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Principle of management is (A) Dynamic (B) Flexible (C) Universal (D) All of these$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Principles of management are dynamic, flexible and universal — all of these.

Management principles have several features. They are universal, applying to organisations of every kind and size; they are flexible, to be modified and applied according to the situation rather than used rigidly; and they are dynamic, evolving over time with changing conditions. Since the principle of management is dynamic, flexible and universal, the correct answer is all of these.

✓Final answer
$(D) All of these — management principles are dynamic, flexible and universal.$
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. The propounder of administrative management was (A) Fayol (B) Taylor (C) Terry (D) None of them$
›Reveal solutionSolution

Henri Fayol propounded administrative (general) management, giving the 14 principles of management and defining the universal functions of a manager; Taylor, by contrast, is associated with scientific management.

Fayol focused on top-level administration and framed principles such as division of work, unity of command, scalar chain and others applicable to all organisations. For this he is called the father of administrative/general management. Taylor's contribution was scientific management at the shop-floor level. Hence the propounder of administrative management is Fayol.

✓Final answer
$(A) Fayol.$
CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. "The Principles of Management are applicable to all kinds of organisations." Identify the nature of Principles of Management mentioned above.$
(a) General guidelines
(b) Flexibility
(c) Contingent
(d) Universal applicability
›Reveal solutionSolution
A principle applicable to all kinds of organisations illustrates the "Universal applicability" nature of management principles.

Principles of management have several distinguishing features (natures), including:

General guidelines — not rigid prescriptions, but a guide to action in given situations.

Formed by practice and experimentation — developed over years of observation and experience.

Flexible — can be modified to suit changing situations.

Mainly behavioural — aim at influencing human behaviour.

Cause and effect relationships — intend to establish a relationship between cause and effect.

Contingent — their application depends on the prevailing situation.

Universal applicability — they are general guidelines applicable to all kinds of organisations, business or non-business, irrespective of their size, nature, or location, although the way they are applied may differ from case to case.

The statement in the question — that the principles apply to "all kinds of organisations" — is the textbook description of universal applicability.

✓Final answer
$Universal applicability.$
CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Principles of management are (A) Dynamic (B) Flexible (C) Universal (D) All of these$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Management principles are universal, flexible and dynamic, so the answer is (D) All of these.

Key features of management principles include: universal application (they apply to all kinds and sizes of organisations), flexibility (they are guidelines to be used according to the situation, not rigid formulas), and dynamic nature (they develop and change over time as management research advances). Since the question lists these as separate options, the inclusive choice is correct.

(A) Dynamic, (B) Flexible and (C) Universal are each only one feature and therefore individually incomplete.

✓Final answer
$(D) All of these — principles of management are universal, flexible and dynamic.$
CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
$Q. Henry Fayol's principles of management are - A) Three B) Eleven C) Fourteen D) Eight$
›Reveal solutionSolution

The answer is C) Fourteen. Henri Fayol gave fourteen principles of general management.

Henri Fayol, a French industrialist and the 'Father of General Management', derived fourteen principles of management from his managerial experience. They include division of work, authority and responsibility, discipline, unity of command, unity of direction, subordination of individual interest to general interest, remuneration, centralisation and decentralisation, scalar chain, order, equity, stability of personnel, initiative and esprit de corps.

These are flexible guidelines, not rigid rules, applied according to the situation. The count of fourteen is a standard fact in the RBSE/CBSE Class-12 Business Studies syllabus.

✓Final answer
$C) Fourteen.$
CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 mark
$Q. Fill in the blank: Principles are ______ to action.$
›Reveal solutionSolution

The blank is filled by guidelines (guide): 'Principles are guidelines to action.'

A principle of management is a general, broad statement that guides managerial thinking and decision-making. By their nature, principles are guidelines to action — they suggest a cause-and-effect relationship and the general course a manager should follow, but they are flexible and must be adapted to the specific circumstances. They are not rigid, universally fixed formulas.

Hence the correct word is 'guidelines (guide) to action'.

✓Final answer
$Guidelines (guide).$

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