What Is Business Administration?
A bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration sets you up with a wide range of skills related to business operations. The job of a business administrator is to oversee the various processes of the business and to keep things running as smoothly as possible.
A business administrator also steers the company’s direction to keep it in line with the goals and priorities set by stakeholders. The success of the business relies heavily on day-to-day operations, and business administration is the key to managing them.
What Is Business Management?
A business manager focuses more on designing the path than steering it. This is the company’s decision-maker (or decision-makers since there may be a team of business managers). They develop the infrastructure that makes up the business and its future. They may monitor the core operations to see if tweaks are necessary to improve profitability or structure
What Is the Difference Between Business Administration and Management?
On the surface, it may seem like these two jobs are the same thing since they do have similar goals. Both an administrator and a business manager work to keep the company running efficiently. They also are both critical for business success, but they play different roles in obtaining that success.
According to Stephanie Shayne, EdD, MBA and Director of Husson’s School of Business & Management & Graduate Programs, “business administration and business management are both degrees that offer a foundation in business concepts, but the focus of each degree is slightly different.
Business management focuses on organizing and managing a company’s resources (including human capital). Business management is people-centric. Business management degrees put a lot of emphasis on communication, human resource management and general-management theories. Important skills include interpersonal communication skills, the ability to manage teams and work with others and the ability to formulate and communicate a mission and vision for the company.
more technical in nature and focused on the nuts and bolts of running a business. Business administration programs typically offer students the opportunity to focus in specialized areas such as finance, accounting or marketing among others. Important skills will vary depending on the area of focus. For example, students interested in finance or accounting will need strong math skills, while those interested in marketing will need to rely on creativity and communication skills. Regardless of focus, it is important for those working in different areas of business to understand how their decisions and their departments or roles interface with other aspects of the business and the organization overall.
