Read the following case study and answer the question.

Param and Rajat run a burger store in Gangtop. While visiting their store Swati observed the following points.

The worker did not need to move much while serving a customer as the trays were placed on his right hand upper shelf. Tissues were on right side of lower shelf and spoons on left side upper shelf. The straws and cups were placed in a rack next to the vending machine. The burgers were just behind him. During her 3 days stay she visited the store daily and saw the staff doing different jobs. A worker who was handling the cash was cleaning the floor on the next day and was cleaning the tables on the third day. Everyone was dressed up in similar uniform, black shoes, cap, socks, black trousers, orange T-shirts etc. They carried their name badge also. She also overheard the staff discussing about the new worker, who was not upto the mark and how they supported him by explaining the way thing had to done so that his performance could improve.

While looking around the store she saw a soft board on which a person's picture was put up as 'employee of the month'. She began to smile as the name on the soft board was similar to hers.

The workers were all wearing black cap, shoes, trousers and orange T-shirts. The uniform were all similar. Identify the principle of management followed here.

Discipline

The correct answer is option (2)- Discipline.

The principle of management followed in the case study is Discipline.

Discipline in management refers to the adherence to rules, regulations, and expected behaviors within an organization. In the given case, All workers are dressed in the same uniform (black shoes, cap, socks, black trousers, orange T-shirts), which indicates a strong sense of uniformity and discipline in how employees should present themselves.

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.

OTHER OPTIONS

• Unity of direction-  All the units of an organisation should be moving towards the same objectives through coordinated and focussed efforts. Each group of activities having the same objective must have one head and one plan. This ensures unity of action and coordination. It prevent overlapping of activities.

• Unity of command. According to Fayol there should be one and only one boss for every individual employee. If an employee gets orders from two superiors at the same time the principle of unity of command is violated. The principle of unity of command states that each participant in a formal organisation should receive orders from and be responsible to only one superior. Fayol gave a lot of importance to this principle. He felt that if this principle is violated “authority is undermined, discipline is in jeopardy, order disturbed and stability threatened”. The principle resembles military organisation. Dual subordination should be avoided. This is to prevent confusion regarding tasks to be done.

• Order: According to Fayol, “People and materials must be in suitable places at appropriate time for maximum efficiency.” The principle of order states that ‘A place for everything (everyone) and everything (everyone) in its (her/his) place’. Essentially it means orderliness. If there is a fixed place for everything and it is present there, then there will be no hindrance in the activities of business/ factory. This will lead to increased productivity and efficiency.