He likewise stresses the need for all the employees to follow orders and instructions from him and not from anyone else. Which of the following principles does he refer to?
A. Scalar chain
B. Discipline
C. Unity of command
D. Order
Correct Answer: C. Unity of command
Henry Fayol, a famous industrialist of France, has described fourteen principles of management in his book General and Industrial Management. According to the principle of unity of command, an individual employee should receive orders from only one superior at a time and that employee should be answerable only to that superior. If there are many superiors giving orders to the same employee, he will not be able to decide as to which order is to be given priority. He thus finds himself in a confusing situation.
Option A: Scalar chain is the formal line of authority that moves from highest to lowest rank in a straight line. This chain specifies the route through which the information is to be communicated to the desired location/person.
Option B: Discipline is essential for any successful work performance. Fayol considers discipline to mean obedience, respect for authority, and observance of established rules. Discipline can be established by providing good supervision at all levels, clearly explaining the rules, and implementing a system of reward and punishment. A manager can present a good example to his subordinates by disciplining himself.
Option D: According to the principle of order, the right person should be placed at the right job and the right thing should be placed at the right place. According to Fayol, every enterprise should have two different orders-Material Order for Physical Resources and Social Order for Human Resources.