Necessity and Possibility in Management Sciences

Physics relies on nomological laws (e.g., Newton’s laws), considered necessary within a given framework. Management sciences, in contrast, operate in a world shaped by human behavior, institutions, and environments. They cannot produce the same kind of universal laws. In business strategy, for instance, a model might suggest: “If you are in a competitive market with limited resources, it is necessary to adopt a niche strategy.” This necessity is contextual and practical, not absolute.