Delegation of Authority

Authority Definitions Features Delegation of Authority Features Steps in Delegation of Authority

Authority
Authority may rise due to official position of a person, his personal competence or the nature of his subordinates. Organizing emphasis on positional authority. Authority Legitimate right to give orders and get these orders obeyed.

Definitions of Authority
Max Weber The willing and unconditional compliance of people, resting upon their belief that it is legitimate for superior to impose his will on them and illegitimate for them to refuse to obey.

 Simon Authority may be defined as the power to make decisions which guide the actions of another. It is a relationship between two individuals; one superior, another subordinate. The superior frames and transmits decisions with the expectation that these will be accepted by the subordinate. The subordinate executes such decisions and his conduct is determined by them.

Features of Authority
There exists Right in Authority. Right to give Orders is Legitimate. Authority gives Right of Decision making about subordinates. Authority may control negative aspects of behavior. Authority is determined by personality factors.

Delegation of Authority
Delegation means conferring authority from one manager to another in order to accomplish particular assignments.

Features of Delegation of Authority

Delegation of Authority originates at top it is distributed throughout the org through delegation and re-delegation. re Dual characteristics Subordinate receives authority and his superior still retains all his original authority. Eg., Knowledge sharing Authority once delegated can be enhanced, reduced or withdrawn depending upon situation.

 The individual occupying a position may exercise the authority so long as he holds the position. A manager does not delegate his full authority , otherwise he cannot work.

Steps in Delegation
Determination of Results Expected Authority delegated is adequate to accomplish expected results. Results expected from each position have been identified properly. Assignment of Duties a. In terms of Activities and sub-activities subb. In terms of results expected.

 Authorization of Action Granting permission to take actions like use of resources and other actions necessary to get the assigned work done. Scope of Authority the superior wishes his subordinates to exercise. Creation of Obligation

Principles of Delegation
Delegation by Result expected Functional Definition Clarity of lines of Authority Level of Authority Absoluteness of Responsibility Parity of Authority and Responsibility

Blocks of Effective Delegation

FACTORS OF DELEGATOR (SUPERIOR) Love for Authority (Autocrat) Maintenance of Tight Control (show busy and work piled on table & habituated to subordinates bringing for his approval). Fear of Subordinates a. Subordinate takes superiors position b. Subordinate be promoted to other deptt and Superior lose him.

 Fear of Exposure
(Superior weak)

Attitude towards Subordinates

(Negative attitude, trust between superior and subordinate)

Personality of Superior
(Superior(Superior- Autocrat or Democrat or a superior who has never delegated adequate authority in his career is likely to delegate less )

 FACTORS IN DELEGANT (Subordinate) When they fear for Harsh Criticism for unfavorable results. When they lack Self confidence. When they lack resources. When they have inadequate positive incentives. When their Superior is easily available for making decisions on their part.