Authority And

Responsibility

Contents

AUTHORITY

RESPONSIBILITY3

ACCOUNTABILITY4

ORGANIZING1

2

ORGANIZING

Organizing is the process of defining and grouping the activities of the enterprise and establishing the authority relationship among them.

Characteristics- Division of Work Coordination Common Objectives Well defined authority and responsibility Superior subordinate relationship Universal Process Dynamic

ORGANIZING PROCESS

Identification and division of work Departmentalization Determination of Key activities Assignment of duties Establishing reporting relationship Providing Right Environment

Delegation of Authority

“Delegation of authority means assigning work to others and giving them authority to do it.”

- F.G. Moore

“Delegation of authority merely means the granting of authority to subordinates to operate within prescribed limits.”

- Theo Haimann

Elements :

Elements of Delegation of Authority :

ResponsibilityAuthorityAccountability

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to properly perform the assigned duty. When a superior assigns a job to his subordinate it becomes the responsibility of the subordinate to complete the job.

Features :-Responsibility can be assigned to some other

personThe essence of responsibility is to be dutifulIt gets originated because of superior-subordinate

relationship.

AUTHORITY

It means the power to take decisions. Decision can be related to the use of resources and to do or not to do something.

Features:-Authority can be assigned to some other person.It is related to the post (with the change of post,

even authorities change).It makes implementation of decisions possible.It is the key to a managerial job, because a post

without authority cannot be a managerial post.

Authority

The power to make decision which guides the action of

others

Definition

A Right & a Power to

influence the behavior or

efforts of other

persons

DifferenceBasic of

DistinctionAuthority Responsibility

MeaningThe power or right of a

superior to give order to others

It is an obligation to perform the assigned duty

or order

Sources of Origin

It emerges from a formal position in the organisation

It emerges from superior subordinate relationship

Direction of Flow

It flows downwards i.e. from top to bottom level

It flows upward i.e. from bottom level to top level

PurposeIts purpose is to make decisions and get the decisions executed

Its purpose is to execute the duties assigned by the

superior

ACCOUNTABILITY

Accountability means the answerability of the subordinate to his superior for his work performance.

Features:-Accountability cannot be delegated.It originates because of delegation of authority.It is only towards the delegators.Its base is senior – subordinate relationship

Difference

Basic of Distinction

Responsibility Accountability

Meaning

It is an obligation to perform the assigned duty or order

Answerable to the superior for the work performed

Sources of Origin

Relationship between senior & superior

Delegation of Authority

Delegation

Responsibility ( Responsibility for) or the work can be delegated to some other person

Accountability ( Responsibility to) cannot be delegated to some other person

Can Accountability be Delegated ?

Process of Delegation of Authority

Assigning responsibility

Granting Authority

Fixing Accountability

IMPORTANCE

Importance of Delegation of Authority :

Effective ManagementEmployee DevelopmentMotivation of EmployeesFacilitation of GrowthBetter Coordination

Obstacles to

Delegation

Organisational Constraints•Inadequate planning•Lack of Unity of Command•Non availability of competent managers•Unclear authority relationship

On the part of Subordinates•Lack of Information

and resources•Over Burdened

•Lack of self confidence•Dependence on BossOn the part of superior

•Lack of Control•Fear of subordinates•Love for authority•Lack of receptiveness•Lack of trust in subordinates