Basic Concepts of Public Administration

Question 1

means a gradation of social positions or status. It implies structural or fixed inequality in which position is unconnected with individual ability.

Answer 1

Administration Hierarchy /Hierarchy

Question 2

in the organisation there shall exist MUTUAL FAITH and HARMONY and ORDER shall prevail in the whole body of oganisation.

Answer 2

Hierarchy

Question 2

Employed or used in public administration. In many organisations the principle of hierarchy is employed for the better or efficient management of organisation. Some executives or administrationists call organisation an idea

Answer 2

Hierarchy

Question 3

is applied on the consideration that all the functions of an organisation are not equal importance, and, on that ground they are arranged in order of importance.

Answer 3

Hierarchy

Question 3

In the structure of hierarchy there is a chief executive who gives orders and it is channelled
through the system of hierarchy. The order of chief executive passes through several stages
and it finally reaches it’s destination.

Answer 3

Channel of Command

Question 4

The decision of one person or a decision taken at a particular stage is delegated or sent to
another stage and in this way the public administration performs its duty

Answer 4

Channel of Delegation

Question 5

This may be called checks and balances. This system is prevalent in American constitutional
structure.In the structure of hierarchy no one particular section or department is fully
empowered to take all decisions.

Answer 5

Channel of Internal Control

Question 6

means a formal, institutional or legal power in a particular job, function or position that empowers the holder of that job, function or position to successfully perform his task

Answer 6

Authority

Question 7

is the obligation of a subordinate to perform a duty, which has been assigned to him by his superior.

Answer 7

Responsibility

Question 8

this flows from law, rules, and regulations that are framed by, or with the consent of all stakeholders. The flow of legal authority is top-down at each level.

Answer 8

Formal authority

Question 8

‘Formal’ , “Traditional’ or “Top-Down” theory.
‘Acceptance’ or ‘Bottom-up’ theory.
‘Competence’ or ‘Personal Authority’ theory

Answer 8

Theories of “Sources of Authority”

Question 9

this was formulated by Chester Barnard who held that authority lies in the character of a communication (order) issued in a formal organization which makes it acceptable to the persons for whom it is intended. The essence of the theory is that any authority is as effective or ineffective as the willingness or unwillingness of subordinates to
accept it

Answer 9

The acceptance or bottom-up theory

Question 10

A person can influence the behavior of others even if he does not command any formal, legal or traditional authority. At the root of his authority are his competence, charisma and leader-like qualities

Answer 10

‘Competence’ or ‘Personal Authority’ theory.

Question 11

refers to an obligation or liability for performance of a task or responsibility that is assigned.

Answer 11

“Duty” or “Responsibility”

Question 12

this has been interpreted in two different ways. Some writers define as a duty while others call it an obligation. The responsibility is the obligation to perform certain functions and achieve results.

Answer 12

responsibility

Question 13

A chief executive or an officer of high rank cannot delegate his powers to his subordinates according to his own sweet will. There are legal and constitutional procedures of delegation which he or she must scrupulously follow

Answer 13

A chief executive or an officer

Question 13

means to entrust one’s own power and responsibility to another person or group of persons who are lower in rank and power. In public administration a chief executive transfers his power or part of it to an employee who is in rank lower to him.

Answer 13

Delegation

Question 13

this means an obligation on the part of a person to account for, or explain, why the task or responsibility assigned to him has not been performed as desired. A person will be accountable only when he has been assigned any task or responsibility by the person who commands authority over him

Answer 13

Accountability

Question 14

can be defined as the total number of direct subordinates that a manager can control or manage. The number of subordinates managed by a manager varies depending on the complexity of the work.

Answer 14

Span of Control

Question 15

is popularly used in business management and human resource man-agement. Because this term is related to the management and controlling of employees, the meaning of the word is the total number of
subordinates that a manager or supervisor can manage.

Answer 15

“Span of Control”