By Bill W. The Tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous in its present short form suggests that AA shall forever remain unorganized, that we may create special boards or committees to serve us -- never governmental in character. 20 No. It is exacted upwards whereas authority flows downwards. Authority – Responsibility Relationship: Authority and responsibility of a manager should be co-equal i.e. 4 “Service: Responsibility and Authority“ This is one of the most powerful Concepts. ... each able to act directly on behalf of the people with the authority granted to it. A person can influence the behavior of others even if he does not command any formal, legal or tra­ditional authority. Understanding how these informal groups function, now they support or detract from the formal structure and how communications flow to and from them is critical for the manager who expects to oversee the total, living organization. Responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform a duty, which has been assigned to him by his superior. A manager has authority to reward and punish his subordinates based on their performance. The acceptance theory really emphasizing the leadership function of management that is the ability to persuade others to work well in the interest of goals/objectives of enterprise. It ignores the organisational situation of the possessor of the authority. Many academic theorists of the formal authority view the legal aspects of private property as the source of authority. It means the person who has been assigned a task or responsibility has a duty or obligation to perform it. Now the question – What source of authority would best enable a manager to perform his task? But if he is assigned the task of producing 100 units daily on the machine, his responsibility is expressed in terms of a quantitative target. There are various theories to explain the sources of authority, important among them are as follows: 1. We'll show you how to strike the right balance of responsibility and authority. Responsibility moves in the upward control from subordinate to superior. However, relationship between CEO and an auditor who is appointed annually to conduct audit of the company accounts is a specific duration task or responsibility. This shows that the obligation is the essence of responsibility. In other words required amount of authority should be delegated to discharge responsibility. According to Henri Fayol, there should be a balance between Authority (Power) and Responsibility (Duties). 9. may also impose certain limitations on the use of authority. Responsibility cannot be … According to Barnard, “an individual will accept the exercise of authority by his superior if the advantages to him from accepting the authority and the disadvantages from not accepting the authority are greater than the advantages from not accepting and the disadvantages from accepting; conversely, he will not accept the exercise of authority if the latter factors are greater than the former.”. A COMMAND CLIMATE ASSESSMENT SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AT WHAT MIN FREQ ... coordinating a comprehensive safety program based on the objectives of the CO is the responsibility of what authority. Accordingly manager has no authority until it is conferred upon him by his sub-ordinates. The essence of responsibility is then, obligation.”. Sometimes it so happens these attractive and commanding personality do not have any authority, but people waits for his guidance and follow it taking it as an order. The reasons for these commands are fascinating, and not based in time or culture. Regard for the Mores and Folk Ways of the Group: Authority when used commands reaction from individual as well as groups. Delegation of authority to a subordinate will not relieve a manager from responsibility to perform his duties. Authority means a formal, institutional or legal power in a particular job, function or position that empowers the holder of that job, function or position to successfully perform his task. However, it is important to bestow some responsibility to a subordinate to make sure that the task is performed by him successfully. Responsibility arises from superior subordinate relationships. Responsibility is derived from function which is the origin for relationship. Authority is the right to give orders and the power to exact obedience. To sum up in literal terms if authority is a body then power is the means and responsibility is the state of handeling the power In a more comprehensive sense responsibility can be defined as an obligation of a subordinate to perform the duties assigned to him. Responsibility can be discharged by a single action or it may be a continuous obligation. It may be favourable or unfavourable. This theory is very simple, because the followers of this theory believe that the authority flows to a manager through acceptance by his subordinates of his power to make and implement decisions. The whole organisational structure is based on the concept of authority without use of authority, anarchy and utter confusion will prevail all around the enterprise Authority is usually respected, recognised and followed in the organisation as a matter of course. Shareholders of a company appoint directors and delegate to them authority to manage the affairs of the company. The essence of the theory is that any authority is as effective or inef­fective as the willingness or unwillingness of subordinates to accept it. Responsibility Relates to human beings only. A building, a machine or an animal cannot be held responsible. Responsibility is closely related to authority. The essence of responsibility is obligation to perform the assigned duty or task. Without authority, the executive cannot secure compliance of his orders from his subordinates. Share Your PDF File 8. According to Koontz and O’Donnell, “Viewed internally with respect to the enterprise, responsibility may be defined as the obligation of a subordinate, to whom a superior has assigned a duty to perform a service required. Performance evaluations and fitness reports should be based on which of the following factors? However, the ideal source of authority is that under which the subordinates accept to perform the assigned task and responsibility because they trust the ability and integrity of the manager. Generally authority and responsibility are highly interconnected. The authority which a manager possesses, because of his organisational position, is known as formal authority. Authority, Responsibility and Accountability are Inter-related. According to some writers all authority is formal. True Line personnel provide expert advice and guidance to staff personnel. Likewise, only a person who is subordinate to the authority-holding person can be assigned task or responsibil­ity. However, delegation of authority does not diminish the authority and responsibility of the manager- he continues to be the source of authority vested in him and also continues to be responsible for per­formance of the assigned task by him and/or his subordinate(s). Authority and Responsibility in Management – Meaning, Definition, Concept, Characteristics and Relationship, According to Barnard, “Authority is the character of a communication (order) in a formal organization, by virtue of which it is accepted by a contributor to, or member of, the organization as governing the action he contributes; that is, as governing or determining what he does or not do, so far as the orga­nization is concerned.”. Sometimes a manager may not get the work done from the subordinates if the wages are not according to their expectation. (2) Only person holding authority can make decisions: Decision-making is the main feature of authority. 6. It is the authority a person enjoys by virtue of his superior position in the organisation. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. He does this because he has made decision about the work behavior of his subordinates. But if the sales manager is assigned the task of improving sales performance, it will be difficult for him to work out at what point the sales performance will be deemed satisfactory by his superior. According to George R. Terry, responsibility is inseparable, there is every danger that it may be misused by the possessor. Authority: Chester Barnard has defined authority as a character of “an order in the informal organisation by virtue of which … These are governed by the articles and memorandum of association which are governed themselves by the commercial and industrial laws of the country. • Why is delegation of “authority… Therefore responsibility cannot be delegated. The authority is power to command or to exact action from others in the process of discharging the delegated responsibility. Authority can be authorized by a senior to his subordinate. Some state constitutions explicitly guarantee equal rights for men and women. On the other hand, when the president hires some lower for seeking legal advice and advocating a particular case in the court of law, his obligation comes to an end when the assignment is completed. Compliance is obtained in a number of ways trough persuasion, sanctions, request, coercion, constraint or force”. They do so because the Company Law gives them this authority. Until and unless any performance is technically possible an order to do any such work would be unworthy. Non-living inanimate beings – machine, tool, capital – cannot be assigned task or responsibility. The subordinate will accept the authority of a command, understand it, believe it and follow it in the interest of the organization. “Authority is the character of a communication (order) in a formal organization, by virtue of which it is accepted by a contributor to, or member of, the organization as governing the action he contributes; that is, as governing or determining what he does or not do, so far as the orga­nization is concerned.”, “Viewed internally with respect to the enterprise, responsibility may be defined as the obligation of a subordinate, to whom a superior has assigned a duty to perform a service required. Parents ask or order children to do or not to do anything. The term responsibility has been interpreted in two different ways. There are plenty of examples which conflict with each other and that I believe are completely incorrect and in a lot of cases the definitions totally conflict with themselves: 1. When such an event occurs, the person assuming authority to meet the particular circumstances is said to have derived the authority of the situation. Thus, the concept of authority arises from the chain, which ties together the sections emanating from different persons in the organization. authority should be commensurate with responsibility. It will help him in successful utilization of his authority. More example sentences. The competition in prices of the product and other economic factors also affect the authority. While exercising authority, the manager must keep the following limitations in his mind. These are the main characteristics of the responsibility: 1. Exit Formalities : When your employer is not ready to relieve you from your services! If the authority is more than responsibility then chances are that a manager may misuse it. Our mission is to provide an online platform to help students to discuss anything and everything about Economics. Since 1950 the term technical authority or computer authority has come into use. If the marketing manager directs the sales sup… As Chester I. Bernard writes that “Authority is the character of communication (order) in a formal organization by virtue of which it is accepted by a contributor to or member of the organization as governing the action he contributes; that is, as governing or determining what he does or is not to do so fare as the organization is concerned”. Organizing will not end by dividing the originations into smaller homogeneous units. • Do we understand “authority” and “responsibility” as they relate to group conscience decisions by G.S.R.s, D.C.M.s and our area delegates? Task or Responsibility only Assigned to Human Beings: Task or responsibility can only be assigned to humans. Delegation of authority from a manager to a subordinate is in proportion to the nature of tasks and responsibility assigned to the subordinate. What happens when an Open-Door meeting goes wrong? The right to give orders should not be considered without reference to responsibility. COMMAND MANAGED EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. This means that a subordinate will accept authority only if it falls within his zone of acceptance. The responsibility expected for a position should be commensurate with the authority delegated to that position, and vice-versa. Therefore, it is said that authority is delegated, responsibility is created and accountability is imposed. Then, it assigns tasks and responsibility to the staff, based on their competence levels. Attrition : Is there any solution to it ? Avoidance of gaps in delegation of responsibility. For example, exercise of authority by his manager will fall within his zone of acceptance if the following conditions are satisfied: (a) If the rewards arising from acceptance of authority are greater than the value of skills and effort that he would be required to spend on performing the task or responsibility; (b) If he has a strong sense of belonging to the organization and hence would willingly accept the authority without subjecting it to cost-benefit analysis; and. For example an order to make gold from copper. Responsibility results from a superior subordinate relationship. Conclusion – Authority and Responsibility. 2. 3. 5. A manager’s authority is restricted by the enterprise goals, objectives, politics, programmes and procedures etc. Accountability arises out of responsibility and responsibility arises out of authority. Authority may not mean the same thing as power A person many have the power to influence the activity and behaviour of other persons but he may not have the official or legal right of command and thus enforce compliance by others. An organization is defined as “the process of identifying and grouping the work to be performed defining and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling the people to work most effectively together in accomplishing objectives. ‘So therefore, we have to take responsibility for controlling those powers we develop.’. Assignment of tasks and responsibility will be meaningful only when it is accompanied by delegation of necessary authority to perform the assigned tasks and responsibility. The essence of responsibility is then, obligation.”. Normally, responsibility moves upwards, whereas authority flows downwards. (iii) He wants to avoid disciplinary action, (iv) he regards the maturity, age or experience of superior (v) he wants to avoid responsibility, (vi) he believes that the authority is legitimate and should be followed. cannot be held responsible. G. R. Terry observes “In almost every enterprise, emergency and unusual events accrue which are not provided for in the organisational set-up. 1 The state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone. According to Koontz and O’Donnell “the obligation of a subordinate to whom a duty has been assigned to perform the duty”. But as per Koontz O’ Donnel source of authority is discussed under three headings: The people who have belief in his theory, accept the basis that the ultimate source of authority in a business firm is embedded in the institution of private property, which is interested in a; person power over material resources. 3. In an organisation responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform his duty as required by his superior. Responsibility arises from the superior subordinate relationship, from the fact that a superior has the authority to get specific services from his subordinate. The managerial authority is a rightful permission to act for the enterprise instruct the subordinates, impose penalty for wrong doings, use company property or to speak or act as a representatives of the enterprise. 3. Delegating the authority to someone else doesn’t imply escaping from accountability. The Board, on its part, selects and appoints staff that will help it accom­plish the tasks and responsibility necessary to achieve organizational goals. A manager is accountable only to his superior but the top management owes the maximum accountability. Accountability arises out of responsibility and responsibility arises out of authority. Disclaimer Copyright, Share Your Knowledge This theory believes that the technical competence and personal competence are the basis of authority. It is only through authority, a manager exercises control. Tradition-centric authority has a lot to commend itself, only it should not become a tool to exploit people who respect it. Responsibility is defined as one’s obligation to perform the functions assigned to the best of one’s ability in accordance with directions received. However, when the same group meets to discuss about bank recovery for the next two months, it is in the context of a formal organization. CA NewsGram, Fourth Quarter 2004, Vol. Authority is the legal right of a superior to command his subordinates. The command that women should not teach or have authority over the men of the church (1 Timothy 2:12) is really one command, not two. His zone of acceptance will be determined by a number of factors. Authority is a formal or institutionalized form of power vested in a position or office. ‘a true leader takes responsibility for their team and helps them achieve goals’. But you can be aware and take these proactive steps. Content Guidelines 2. Such an authority exists only till emergency lasts”. Identify some of the powers and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments. No subordinate can be ordered to do a job which is impossible to be performed due to biological limitations. In addition, authority and responsibility should be clearly defined for all positions. This shows that the obligation is the essence of responsibility. To sum up, the ultimate source of authority rests equally on legal, social and cultural norms that fulfill the test of validity and voluntary acceptance of authority by subordinates. Acceptance theory would be put to test only when a manager takes a decision and communicates it to his subordinate(s). Functional similarity which facilitates specialization should be taken into consideration while delegating responsibility. Senior citizens are willingly offered seats in crowded buses and trains; no one minds their jump­ing the queue to visit a doctor, or to withdraw money from bank. It is the power of the superior to make decisions which guides the actions of his subordinates. Allen defines authority as “the sum of the powers and rights entrusted to make possible the performance of the work delegated.” This definition emphasise the right and power aspects and adds another dimension, namely the implication that the authority is delegated with a view to performance of the work and is delegated to the extent of the responsibility for the work entrusted to the delegatee. Therefore, it becomes important that with every authority position an equal and opposite responsibility should be attached. Authority flows downward from superior to a subordinate. It can be acquired through persuasion, sanction, coercion, constraints or force. How to create a perfect profile to land the dream job, Gambling Versus Investing – The Ins And Outs, Why Training Programs don’t impact Business Objectives? The relationships that exist in an organization may be formal and/or informalâ€?. 1. Before publishing your Articles on this site, please read the following pages: 1. It’s equally important to make the distinction early on in the project regarding authority and responsibility. At the root of his authority are his competence, charisma and leader-like qualities. Through legal process, they delegate this authority to Board of directors elected/selected by them. Share Your PPT File, Authority and Responsibility in Management – Meaning, Definition and Characteristics of Authority and Responsibility in Management, Authority and Responsibility in Management – Nature, Definition and Source, Authority and Responsibility in Management – Concept and Relationship between Authority and Responsibility in Management. Authority is the legal right of person or superior to command his subordinates while accountability is the obligation of individual to carry out his duties as per standards of performance Authority flows from the superiors to subordinates,in which orders and instructions are given to subordinates to complete the task. Whenever authority is used, responsibility ensues. It seems logical and obvious that employees should always have the authority to act. On the other hand, Responsibility is the outcome of authority. In an enterprise responsibility is accepted by a subordinate due to contractual relationship and in turn, he gets monetary or other rewards. 210 Leadership Authority and Responsibility 211 In accepting your commission, you gain a position of “special trust and confidence” in the eyes of the President – trust and confidence in your “patriotism, valor, fidelity, and abilities.” By virtue of your commission you are placed in a position of authority Koontz and O’ Donnel define it as the obligation of a subordinate, to whom a superior has assigned a task and dele­gated authority, to perform the task as required. But one must understand that the fact that the fundamental source of authority is formal authority emanating from an institutional framework or from an organizational structure. 3. Such a person would have power but no authority. ‘Formal’, ‘Traditional’ or ‘Top-Down’ theory. Start studying Equal Opportunity Assignment 1. In the end, authority and responsibility are two sides of a coin. According to George R. Terry, responsibility is inseparable, there is every danger that it may be misused by the possessor. (1) Exercise of authority drives staff of the organization to perform the tasks and responsibility assigned to them: Authority means the right to influence the behavior of others. Responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform a duty, which has been assigned to him by his superior. In view of organizational set up, the superior-subordinate relationship gives rise to this responsibility as the superior is vested with the authority to get the specified work done by his subordinates. 4. The flow of legal authority is top-down at each level. Responsibility in terms of quantitative targets is pref­erable to general, non-quantitative responsibility. Women should not teach in the church in a way that takes authority or replaces the authority God has ordered in the church. 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