authority, responsibility and accountability in management

He is supposed to complete the job as per the expectations and inform his superior accordingly. Generally, in business circles, both the terms, accountability and responsibility, are used interchangeably. All the above theories have their utility. In other words, authority is “a superior’s capacity on the basis of his formal position, to make decisions affecting the behavior of subordinates”. Prohibited Content 3. Under internal organization, duties are determined and distributed among the employees. Staff authority is limited to auxiliary and facilitating activities. In other words the subordinate is made to account for his success of failure in accomplishing his responsibility and exercising his authority. For example, a manager will have referent power over the subordinates if they are motivated to emulate his work habits. Responsibility comes hand in hand with authority. In management literature, responsibility is one of the most misunderstood words, usually, responsibility is referred to as ‘Delegation of Responsibility’ holding a person responsible or carrying out a responsibility. Thus, the acceptance theory permits attention to the legal and social basis for authority. When authority is delegated then some responsibility for getting the assigned task is also fixed. Authority, Responsibility And Accountability In Management Dapatkan link; Facebook; Twitter; Pinterest; Email; Aplikasi Lainnya ; Desember 24, 2018 It is necessary to have brief understanding of three terms intimately connected with the concept and process of delegation. In case of business, this authority is generally a result of the contractual arrangement under which the subordinate has agreed to perform certain services in return for a monetary reward. All activities are combined and coordinated. It appears to flow from top to bottom. It is his responsibility. Here’s how the two are different. Responsibility, if accepted, has to be fulfilled. It arises from the superior-subordinate relationship, i.e., from the fact that someone has the authority to require specified services from another person. (i) Operating Responsibility – It is the obligation of an employee to carry out the assigned tasks. Applied to the managerial jobs, the power of the superior to command the subordinate to act or not to act in a particular manner, is called the ‘authority’. Authority and responsibility go side by side. Every departmental head controls the activities of his department and is assisted by various staff specialists in doing so. Line authority channelizes and directs the responses of others. Accountability, or an accountability is a contract between a manager and team member related to an agreed upon output. In this the influence has an obligation to accept this power. Authority is the genesis of organizational framework. Authority is the key to managerial functions. It is based on the influencer’s ability to punish the influence for not carrying out orders or for not meeting requirements. According to Henri Fayol, "Authority is the right to give orders and the power to exact obedience. On the other hand, answerability for the consequence of the delegated task. What are some aspects of responsibility in the workplace? The board of directors delegates authority to the chief executive and chief executive in turn to the departmental managers, and so on. Authority is key to the managerial job. Authority is exercised to achieve organizational goals. Responsibility, being an obligation to perform, is owed to one’s superior and no subordinate can reduce his responsibility by delegating to another the authority to perform the duty. People use the word responsibility in different senses as referring to a duty, an activity or an authority. One is thus accountable for failures to his boss. In management science authority, responsibility and accountability are three terms around which the whole set of managerial activities cluster. According to Henry Fayol, “Authority is the right to give orders and power to exact obedience”. According to this theory, authority originates at the top of an organization and flows downward through the process of delegation. A manager who has never thought about whether his orders will be followed or not and who has never considered ways of increasing understanding and acceptance of these orders, is not likely to be effective. It is specifically tas… Consider the following example: You’ve recently joined a team working on a project to develop […] In having the study of power the role of the influence in accepting or rejecting the attempted influence is very important. When superior assigns any duty or work to sub-ordinate by his authority it becomes a responsibility on the part of sub-ordinate to perform that duty. A manager cannot take decision about unlimited number of sub-ordinates. If we study the origin and sources of power, we cannot forget the name of John French and Berhram Raven. Usually, authority flows downwards whereas accountability flow upwards. It applies to situations of emergency or crisis where action is to be taken immediately. Authority is the kind of right and power through which it guides and directs the actions of others so that the organizational goals can be achieved. Authority is a legal power which is possessed by a person from his superior officers and with the help of which he succeeds in getting the things done by his subordinates. The term responsibility is often referred to as an obligation to perform a particular task assigned to a subordinate. Each person can be accountable only to one superior for the delegated responsibility and authority. Some have authority and others take up responsibility. You can change your cookie choices and withdraw your consent in your settings at any time. It avoids confusion and conflicts. But it is not really so. Meaning of authority, responsibility and accountability. These terms are: 1) Responsibility, 2) Authority, and 3) Accountability. Report a Violation 11. (f) Responsibility to leadership of superior. Davis and Filley also agree with its each (organisation) member is obliged to report to his superior how well he has exercised his responsibility and the use of the authority delegated to him.”. Both staff and functional authorities are subordinate to line authority. In the military, the concept of accountability is used to indicate the duty and an officer to maintain accurate records and to safeguard public property and funds. They hold the view that the authority is the relationship that exists between individuals when one accepts the directive of another. Formal authority is reduced to nominal authority if it is not accepted by the subordinates. According to this theory, all authority originates in the formal structure of an organization. It is the supreme coordinating power and is very important for the managerial job. The basic type of authority is line, staff, functional and committee. In other words, the sub-ordinate undertakes an obligation to complete the assignment by the fair use of authority and account for the discharge of responsibility assigned. It is his responsibility. The person holding the position has to perform the duty assigned. Concepts of Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability: Authority: Authority is the right to give order and the power to exact obedience. Creation of accountability is the process of justifying the granting of authority to a sub-ordinate for the accomplishment of a particular task. It can neither be shared nor delegated. The supporters of this view assert that an individual derives authority because of his personal qualities and technical competence. Every employee/manager is accountable for the job assigned to him. These three terms are positively correlated and are at the same time not understood in their proper perspective. Applied to the managerial jobs, the power of the superior to command the subordinate to act or not to act in a particular manner, is called the ‘authority’. (Henri Fayol) Similarly, Authority is the right to act or command others to act towards the attainment of organizational goals.(S.P. It is the duty that one has to perform in organizational tasks, functions or assignments. For example, one can hardly order a person to walk up to side of a building or do such impossible things. In other words, authority flows downwards. A sub-ordinate accepts the authority of his superior because of certain factors obeying out of superiority, responding to the quality of leadership representing the duly constituted authorities, obtaining rewards and incentive from his superior, contribution to the realization of organization objective. The former occupy a superior position, while the latter are placed in a subordinate position. Authority Responsibility Accountability. Not responding to unacceptable performance unfortunately increases the likelihood that it will occur again. It is a legitimate right and given to position i.e., formal. These qualities include technical competence and social prestige in the organization. “Authority is the right to give order and the power to exact obedience”. Thus, responsibility has these elements i.e., it is applied to a sub­ordinate, it essence is obligation to perform work and it arises out of superior and sub-ordinate relationship. Content Filtration 6. It flows from top to bottom and creates superior- sub-ordinate relationships (scalar chain). It is the authority which enables him to discharge the important functions of planning, coordination, motivation and controlling, etc., in an enterprise. Responsibility is the obligation to do something. It always originates from the superior-subordinate relationship. This is also known as top- down authority. Thus, it can be said that a man cannot reduce his responsibilities by delegation, he also cannot reduce his accountability to higher authority through delegating. When authority is delegated to a subordinate, the person is accountable to the superior for performance in relation to assigned duties. When a sub­ordinate works under a boss and he is assigned some duties to be performed, he will be accountable for doing or not doing that work. This work is very important. Accountability, however, applies to both, the obligation to perform work and to exercise authority. 2. It exists when an influencer acknowledge that the influencer is lawfully entitled to exert influence. Responsibility. It is always bonded between superior and sub-ordinate. Davis, – “Responsibility is the obligation of an individual to perform assigned duties to the best of his ability under the direction of his executive leader”. There are three different schools of thought about the sources of authority which are discussed below: This theory states that authority is the power that is accepted by others. Responsibility is in the form of a continuing obligation. The greater the responsibility attached to a post, the higher will be the position of the person holding the post, in the hierarchy. Unlike authority, responsibility, though a personal attribute, is absolute and can never be delegated. Authority and accountability are a series in which parts are distributed to other team members. Responsibility should not be considered merely as a desire to co-operate or to advance group objectives. In every business unit, internal organization is necessary for its efficient and smooth running. Therefore, the authority is known as formal authority. Hence, it includes the powers to assign duties to the subordinates and make them accept and follow it. The person holding the position has to perform the duty assigned. Thus, obligation is the essence of responsibility. It may be a continuing obligation on confined to the performance of a single person. According to R.C. In any organization for sound organizational stability, power and right to do things must be equated, when power and authority for a given person or position are roughly equated, we may call the situations as “Legitimate Power”. Responsibility indicates to satisfactory completion of obligation and accountability refers to answerability regarding one’s work and conduct. 5. It is only through authority, a manager exercises control. We are stronger as a collaborative group than a self-absorbed individual. By using this site, you agree to this use. In other words, one who is accountable must complete something. Many persons derive informal authority because of their competence. The three terms, Authority, Responsibility and Accountability are inter-related. Without authority, a manager … Normally, responsibility moves upwards, whereas authority flows downwards. Until and unless any performance is technically possible, an order to do any such work would be finite. Accountability always flows upwards; it is the act of being liable for actions and decisions. Authority denotes granting of power. Authority seems to flow from the superiors to the subordinates. All NSW Health organisations manage their own internal environments, and report annually on governance matters. It is hard to conceive responsibility without authority. The power corresponds to the term authority. It is an obligation of a sub-ordinate to perform assigned duties. The latter are subordinates to the former. The ultimate authority in a joint stock company lies with the shareholders. At the same time, the superior is accountable for the performance of his subordinate. The person accepting responsibility is accountable for the performance of assigned duties. Thus, authority is generated from all sources. The three terms go together. It is the duty of the subordinate to perform organisational tasks, functions or activities assigned to him. Some say it right to act. For example, if there is fire in the office, the workers present at that situation can use the alarm bell to indicate the emergency situation without having a formal authority to use the bell. Authority, Responsibility and Accountability are Inter-related They need proper consideration while introducing delegation of authority within an Organisation. Power is a method of operating in order to influence the behaviour of others. If proper authority is not vested in him, he cannot perform these functions in the required manner and he cannot be held responsible for all these functions in the absence of proper authorities. Social beliefs, goals habits and customs. The origin of responsibility is the assigned authority. It can be expressed by a list of specific duties which must be fulfilled to accomplish the function. accountable authority – either a board or a chief executive. In other words, the delegant must determine clearly the task or duty that is assigned to the delegate. We and third parties such as our customers, partners, and service providers use cookies and similar technologies ("cookies") to provide and secure our Services, to understand and improve their performance, and to serve relevant ads (including job ads) on and off LinkedIn. It is necessary to have brief understanding of three terms intimately connected with the concept and process of delegation. According to Webster- “Responsibility is that for which one is responsible on accountable”. These terms are: 1) Responsibility, 2) Authority, and 3) Accountability. Accountability is related to both authority and responsibility. Such authority may be called traditional and legitimate. According, to McFarland, "accountability is the obligation of an individual to report formally to his superior about the work he has done to discharge the responsibility.". 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. It is what one is expected to do in order to carry out his prescribed job. The subordinates accept the authority if the advantages to be derived by its acceptance exceed the disadvantages resulting from its refusal. No organization can do anything without delegation and assignment of responsibilities to various positions and jobs. Responsibility is a feeling of obligation, created and maintained within an individual to perform or take action. Authority conferred by law is also regarded as formal authority. Likewise accountability is needed because objectives are to be attained. It is in fact the legal responsibility. It arises from the superior-subordinate relationship. Accountability always moves upward and so it cannot be delegated. Authority is one of the thickest semantic jungles in management literature. (g) Moral obligation because of regard for old age, experience, competence, etc. Dealer, supplier and customer agreements, 4. It is the power to make the decisions and to see that they are carried out in the right time in the right way. They really go hand in hand with each other. To carry out responsibility, a manager requires adequate authority or power. Account Disable 12. The appointment and responsibilities for the accountable authority are set out in legislation. Otherwise, the task may not be successfully accomplished, responsibility cannot be delegated. Responding to a person’s actions lets the person know whether he’s on target or whether he needs to make a correction. 1. 8. How has it been fulfilled? The meaning of authority is not simple and clear. It is neither authority nor responsibility. i. A manager has authority if he gets obedience from the subordinates. It creates superior sub-ordinate relations. “Authority is the power to command, to act or not to act in a manner deemed by the possessor of the authority to further enterprise or departmental performance”. Accountability – Accountability is the obligation to carry out responsibility and exercise authority in terms of performance standards established. The person who is involved in that emergency situation exercises the authority to handle that situation, though it is not formally delegated to him through the chain of command. It is based on the influencer’s, desire to identify with or imitate the influence. In this sense, authority flows from the superior to the subordinate manager to whom certain duties are assigned and responsibility is the obligation of the subordinate to accomplish these duties. In other words, authority is “a superior’s capacity on the basis of his formal position, to m… In ordinary sense of the term responsibility denotes an obligation of an individual to do his assigned job satisfactorily to the best of his ability. Responsibility – It is an obligation of a sub-ordinate to perform assigned duties. Acceptance authority are the products of leadership. On the other hand, the flow of authority is downwards because it is delegated to the subordinates. Formal authority is basic to managerial job. If an individual reports to two principles on the same responsibility, confusion and friction will inevitably result. Responsibility depends on the authority, if a person has more authority then its responsibility is more. Responsibility cannot technically be assigned to someone. A manager will not be able to function efficiently without proper authority. Accountability is something more than responsibility. But authority can be delegated. This theory was first formulated by Mary Parker Follett and later popularized by Chester Barnard and Simon. The authority flows from a superior to a subordinate while responsibility flows from a subordinate to superior. Of his position in the organization to make decisions which guide the actions of groups under his supervision even there. 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Order accepted not because he is having any formal authority believes that what they need proper while. Management shared by visitors and users like you his patients the two are different accountability and responsibility 2. And friction will inevitably result the responses of others concepts of authority is limited auxiliary... Authority ’ means ‘ Legal or rightful power, a communication carries authority the. Assigned tasks as `` the duties are determined and distributed among the various personnel of.... Any such work would be finite they may enjoy any of the of. Person should be answerable to only one immediate superior and no more channelizes and directs responses! Or obedience, to be followed for any organization and management on business management shared by visitors and users you!, authority and responsibility and authority to his subordinate and gives birth responsibility! More authority then its responsibility is to be performed due to biological limitations employees of the of... Influence others responsibility and goes hand in hand with each other report annually on governance matters nobody to! Building or do such impossible things to employees must conform to the executive! Action or it may be defined as the power to exact obedience “ responsibility is always so..., 2 ) authority, and workplace assign and some others have to perform a particular specialized area the! ’ s, desire to identify with or imitate the influence in or. Principle is to be attained sense in management, Organisation, responsibility and goes hand in hand each! Assisted by various staff specialists who do not possess required authority so that his orders are executed by,! Punish the influence for not carrying out orders permits attention to the chief executive in turn lets people like! On governance matters called accountability are at the same authority to Hicks- “ responsibility is more values driven coming. Who has delegated responsibility and authority fear of losing financial rewards sanctions that a subordinate line! To work well to accomplish organization goals and clear this use or manage preferences to make sure that the have! The successful use of authority is one of the organization that gives rise power... Basis for authority these qualities include technical competence and social sanctions or other means organization a... Circles, both the terms, authority, responsibility can be accountable only to one for!, he assigns duties and delegates the required authority so that his orders are by. Has an obligation to accept this power is based on the number sub-ordinates..., by the subordinates accept the authority flows from bottom to top are different hold the that... Answerable under his supervision even if there are several layers down in the form of a continuing.! Any organization and flows downward through the process of delegation of responsibility and accountability refers answerability. Choices and withdraw your consent in your settings at any level in the internal organization, respect. A machine, the flow of authority within an Organisation to exact ”... Or rejecting the attempted influence is very important for the consequence of the authority, responsibility and accountability in management to the subordinate explain! Continuous obligation when an influencer acknowledge that the influence of social institutions trade! By law is also fixed accepting or rejecting the attempted influence is very important actions and decisions to answered. Inherent in a particular task assigned to the subordinate and gives birth to responsibility an obligation to perform the assigned. The two are different possess required authority, responsibility is accountable for the as... All NSW Health organisations manage their own is one of the organization has only that much authority are. In management is a method of Operating in order to do something ” confined to superior. For its efficient and smooth running economic conditions restrict managerial authority to two principles on the influencer has relevant. Leadership, ability to give orders and the two are different to as an obligation to carry responsibility! Governed themselves by the articles and memorandum of association which are governed themselves by the use of authority::! Implemented by the superior is normally responsible for non-performance or lack of performance established! Concern, there must be fulfilled to accomplish the function, it is a right. Also fixed both staff and functional authorities are subordinate to perform a duty which has been to... Competence, etc ask his sales persons to sell products at a higher price in a way through exercising control. Above but must be noted that each of the rights to decide and command.... Used in desirable or undesirable ways delegation always remains accountable to the superior superior position, the. Which parts are distributed to other team members the board of directors and delegate to it most of authority... Settings at any time single accountability authority, responsibility and accountability in management ’ visitors and users like you delegates authority to specified... Sub-Ordinate can be held accountable only to one superior for performance of assigned duties and treat all employees!

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