Which of the following are the functions of a chief executive ?
(A) To decide the administrative policy
(B) Authority to issue directions and commands
(C) Co-ordination
(D) To maintain the prestige of the administration

Question

Which of the following are the functions of a chief executive ? 
(A) To decide the administrative policy 
(B) Authority to issue directions and commands 
(C) Co-ordination 
(D) To maintain the prestige of the administration

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:

Detailed explanation of why it is correct — include conceptual, or contextual depth:
The chief executive stands at the apex of any administrative structure, whether governmental, corporate, or organizational. Their role is comprehensive, encompassing policy leadership, direct control, systemic management, and public relations. Therefore, all four statements—(A) To decide the administrative policy, (B) Authority to issue directions and commands, (C) Co-ordination, and (D) To maintain the prestige of the administration—are core and essential functions of the chief executive. The chief executive is the primary figure responsible for translating the broader political or organizational goals into actionable administrative policies (A). This involves setting priorities, allocating resources, and defining the overall strategy for the bureaucracy. Once the policy is decided, the executive function requires the **authority to issue directions and commands** (B) to ensure implementation across all subordinate units, making them the nerve center of the entire executive branch. Furthermore, the modern administration is vast and complex, requiring constant **co-ordination** (C) between diverse departments and conflicting interests to prevent overlap, manage conflicts, and ensure unified action toward common goals. Finally, the chief executive acts as the symbolic head of the administration, and they are responsible for safeguarding and **maintaining the prestige** (D) and public confidence in the administrative apparatus. Neglecting any of these four roles—policy determination, direction, integration, or symbolic leadership—would render the position ineffective.

The incorrect option is 1:
Option 1, which states that only (A), (B), and (C) are correct, is incorrect because it mistakenly excludes function (D), "To maintain the prestige of the administration." In public administration, the morale and public perception of the executive branch are crucial for its smooth functioning and legitimacy. A chief executive, as the spokesperson and figurehead, must actively engage in managing the image and reputation of the administration, especially in a modern democratic setup where public support is essential. Therefore, ignoring the role of maintaining prestige results in an incomplete understanding of the executive's duties, making this option insufficient.

The incorrect option is 2:
Option 2, which includes (B), (C), and (D) but excludes (A), is fundamentally flawed. The most pivotal function of a chief executive is often considered to be policy determination or, at the very least, translating policy into administrative action. **To decide the administrative policy** (A) means setting the operational agenda that the bureaucracy must follow. Directions (B), co-ordination (C), and maintaining prestige (D) are all means to execute or support the decided policy. If the chief executive does not decide or guide the fundamental administrative strategy (A), they are merely supervising procedures without setting a meaningful direction for the government or organization, which contradicts the very essence of executive leadership.

The incorrect option is 3:
Option 3, which includes (A), (B), and (D) but excludes (C), is incorrect because it omits "Co-ordination" (C). Coordination is universally recognized as a core task of management, particularly at the highest level, a concept encapsulated by scholars like Luther Gulick in his POSDCORB framework (where the 'Co' stands for coordination). Administration involves specialized departments working independently; the chief executive must act as the ultimate integrator, harmonizing the efforts of these disparate units. Without effective coordination, different wings of the administration might work at cross-purposes, leading to inefficiency, resource wastage, and policy failure. Thus, coordination is an indispensable executive function that cannot be excluded.