Which of the following is included in Fayol's principles of management ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The principle of **Unity of Command** is one of the fourteen foundational principles of management formulated by Henri Fayol, who is often called the Father of Modern Management Theory. This principle mandates that an employee should receive orders from one superior only for any action or activity, ensuring a single reporting relationship. The primary conceptual reason behind this principle is to eliminate confusion, prevent conflicting instructions, and ensure discipline within the organization's structure. If an employee were to report to more than one boss, the conflict of orders would inevitably lead to chaos, undermine authority, and make it difficult to pinpoint responsibility, ultimately hampering the organization's overall efficiency.

The incorrect option is 1, 2, and 3:
These three options—**Harmony, not discord** (1), **Cooperation, not individualism** (2), and **Development of each and every person** (3)—are principles belonging to a different school of thought known as **Scientific Management**, propounded by Frederick Winslow Taylor. Taylor's theory focused on increasing efficiency at the shop-floor level by applying scientific techniques to management, whereas Fayol's principles provided a general administrative framework for the entire organization. Harmony, not discord, is Taylor's principle that advocates for 'Mental Revolution' where management and workers cooperate fully rather than viewing each other as rivals. Cooperation, not individualism, is an extension of the harmony principle, replacing competition with mutual collaboration between the workforce and the management. Development of each and every person stresses the scientific selection and training of employees to ensure their maximum efficiency and prosperity. Therefore, since they belong to Taylor's Scientific Management and not Fayol's General Principles of Management, these options are incorrect.