The authority and responsibility principle forms one of the major elements of classical management theory, driven by a balance between having the power to decide and the duty to accomplish assigned tasks. Authority and responsibility must go hand in hand. That is, the level at which a manager is authorized should be commensurate to the responsibility being placed upon that manager. Without this balance, effectiveness would clearly suffer by reducing efficiency in the organizations.
Authority in management refers to right to influence people to get things done, issue commands, and allocate scarce organizational resources. It is the right of a person to command and thus forms an integral part of enforcing policies, guiding subordinates, and ensuring the smooth running of business activities. The source of authority can be derived from a position within an organization or from the attributes of a manager.
There are several types of authority in management, each serving a unique role in the organizational hierarchy:
While authority is necessary for organizational control, it brings both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
Cons:
Responsibility is the duty of one person to perform assigned duties and be held responsible for the resultant outcome. In management, responsibility is more than doing the work. Rather it also requires accountability on behalf of one鈥檚 performance as well as their team鈥檚 performance. Responsibility cannot be delegated like authority because the one in charge of the task must bear accountability for whether the task was successful or unsuccessful.
The responsibility principle of management is crucial because it makes managers and employees responsible for their actions. Discipline is enhanced, and problems get solved more efficiently through the principle, as tasks are performed as the organization expects them to be. A lack of direct responsibility leads to confusion among people and inefficiency.
What is known as the most significant relationship concerning the balance of power between authority and responsibility ensures that managers are highly empowered but also accountable. For there to be efficiency in an organization, these two must balance.
Aspect | Authority | Responsibility |
---|---|---|
Nature | Right to command and make decisions | Obligation to perform assigned tasks |
Delegation | Can be delegated | Cannot be delegated |
Purpose | To enforce policies and ensure compliance | To achieve specific organizational objectives |
Scope | Broader, impacts decision-making | Narrower, focused on task completion |
Accountability | Limited to the extent of delegated authority | Full accountability for task outcome |
If a manager has more responsibIf a manager has more responsibility than authority, they may struggle to perform tasks effectively because they lack the power to make necessary decisions.
Authority can be misused if managers make decisions that benefit themselves rather than the organization, or if they overstep their power without taking responsibility.
Authority is the right to command, while accountability is the obligation to answer for the outcomes of assigned responsibilities.
No, responsibility cannot be delegated. Even if a task is delegated, the original person remains responsible for the outcome.
Functional authority is a type of authority granted to a staff member over specific functions, usually related to their area of expertise, to ensure consistency across the organization.
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