Teach Business Management Relevant to India and Its Needs

Sri Sathya Sai delivering the Discourse in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
(To His right is Prof. V.K. Gokak, Vice-Chancellor and to His left is Prof. Nanjundaiah,
Controller of Examinations, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning)

MANAGEMENT MODELS VARY FROM NATION TO NATION
 

Every nation in the world has developed its institutions and way of life on the basis of its cultural traditions, its system of values, and its historic circumstances. These institutions and value systems cannot be transplanted in a mechanical manner in other countries whose history, culture and circumstances are different. 

The management model in the United States of America is of one kind and that in Japan is another. In America, the management model is built up on the basis of a competitive and profit-oriented system. The relations between the management and the workers are based on ‘hiring and firing’. Money and profits are very essential. By copying the American management model, we in India would experience difficulties and probably would not so easily reap the planned results. 

Likewise, in Japan, the management model is yet another one. The workers have a high sense of discipline and even when they have grievances, they do not resort to strikes which affect production. The relations between the management and the workers are by and large cordial and supportive. It is this scenario which has helped Japan to advance industrially and economically.

Indian Ethos and Values: An Essential Component of the Management Programme Curriculum at SSSIHL 

There are some things which are common to all business organisations in any nation. These relate to matters such as accounts, production procedures, maintenance of statistics, materials management and the like. But with regard to matters like business ethics and human relations, we in India have to choose our systems and models in accordance with our culture, traditions and circumstances. In the Sai Institute, we are attaching special importance to cultural and ethical values. Among these, the chief position is given to ‘Indian Ethos and Values’. This course will cover such matters as the Indian Economic Environment, Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour and Communication Skills. Emphasis will be laid on Human Resource Management and Human Values. The use of computers will be an integral part of the course. The study of Indian Ethos and Values will be the most distinguishing feature in the M.B.A. programme of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. 

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

The relations between management and workers should be like that between a mother and her children, based on mutual love and understanding. It is desirable to start the day in every factory or workshop with a silent, common prayer in which managers and workers participate together. When such prayers are held, the workforce will be able to experience harmony in the factory.

Shun Blind Imitation of Overseas Management Models  

There is no meaning in one country aping the management practices of another country. Such an imitation often leads to wastage of resources and many adverse consequences. This is what is happening in many countries, including India. What is good or suitable for one country need not necessarily be good for another. The management systems and practices should be in accordance with the circumstances, the individual attainments and the specific requirements of a country in question be it India or any other country. The culture and values of India are different from that of others. These different situations cannot be viewed stereotypically. The attempt to merge different sets of values may result in the trouncing of values of the less dominant nations.
 

There is a story which illustrates how by listening to the views of all and sundry, one makes oneself a laughing stock and a loser in the deal. A vendor of fruits put up a board over his stall to the effect: ‘Fruits are sold here’. A person walking by suggested to the shopkeeper that the word ‘here’ in the sign board: ‘Fruits are sold here’ was unnecessary. The vendor arranged to get the word erased. Another man came along to say that there was no need to announce that fruits are ‘sold’ as that was understandable to anyone. And so, the word ‘sold’ was erased. Yet another man said that there was no need to mention that ‘fruits’ were being sold, as it was obvious to anyone what was sold in the shop. Eventually, what remained was a blank board, while the sign painter presented his bill for preparing the board and then erasing the words in installments. The fruit vendor realised the folly of impulsively acting on the empty suggestions of every passerby without relying on his own judgment. In the sphere of business management, a similar situation has developed in India. Likewise by following the advice of one country or other, India too has made a hodgepodge of its economy. On the contrary in the bygone ages, India served as an exemplar to other countries by adopting systems suitable to its needs in an original manner.
 

MAN MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE THE QUINTESSENCE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT  

The pursuit of money as an end in itself is making people greedy and excessively commercial-minded. Many farmers are switching over to cash crops to earn more money. This is not the kind of management we should have. We should be concerned with ‘Man Management’. It is said, ‘The proper study of mankind is man’. Humans should learn to be pure in thought, word and deed. This purity is the highest virtue. Slogan-makers, platform orators and yellow journalists are not required today. We want leaders who personify integrity and character.
 

The aim of management institutes should be to produce such leaders. Their curriculum should be based on Indian culture and values. Along with courses in other aspects of management like production, accounts, finance and personnel, we should have a course in ‘Indian Ethos and Values’. We should concentrate on meeting the basic needs of a nation. Our programmes should be based on our resources and on our practical ability to achieve the goals. We have also to synthesise morality with spirituality, in business and other spheres.
 

All over the world there are numerous institutes of management. They confer the Master’s Degree in Business Administration. In our Institute we want to turn out Masters in Man Management (M.M.M.). We should focus on making students ‘Masters in Man Management’. The students should develop a broad outlook and prepare themselves to serve society with sincerity and dedication. They must set an example in morality, and bring credit to the country by their work and their contribution to the development of the nation.


Source: Man Management: A Values-Based Management Perspective, Inaugural Discourse by Baba on August 21, 1986 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning