Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Business Studies

Chapter

Principles of Management

Question:

Which of the following Fayol's principle of management advocates that workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements?

Options:

Esprit de corps

Initiative

Discipline

Scalar chain

Correct Answer:

Initiative

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 2- Initiative.

Initiative principle of management advocates that workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements.

Initiative: Workers should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements according to Fayol. Initiative means taking the first step with self-motivation. It is thinking out and executing the plan. It is one of the traits of an intelligent person. Initiative should be encouraged. But it does not mean going against the established practices of the company for the sake of being different. A good company should have an employee suggestion system whereby initiative/suggestions which result in substantial cost/time reduction should be rewarded.

 

OTHER OPTIONS

  • Scalar Chain- According to Fayol, “Organisations should have a chain of authority and communication that runs from top to bottom and should be followed by managers and the subordinates.” According to Fayol, this chain should not be violated in the normal course of formal communication. However, if there is an emergency then direct contact through ‘Gang Plank’. This is a shorter route and has been provided so that communication is not delayed.
  • Discipline is the obedience to organisational rules and employment agreement which are necessary for the working of the organisation. According to Fayol, discipline requires good superiors at all levels, clear and fair agreements and judicious application of penalties. Suppose management and labour union have entered into an agreement whereby workers have agreed to put in extra hours without any additional payment to revive the company out of loss. In return the management has promised to increase wages of the workers when this mission is accomplished. Here discipline when applied would mean that the workers and management both honour their commitments without any prejudice towards one another.
  • Esprit De Corps: Management should promote a team spirit of unity and harmony among employees, according to Fayol. Management should promote teamwork especially in large organisations because otherwise objectives would be difficult to realise. It will also result in a loss of coordination. A manager should replace 'l' with 'We' in ail his conversations with workers to foster team spirit. This will give rise to a spirit of mutual trust and belongingness among team members.