Sunrise Footwear
Meena runs Sunrise Footwear, a small unit that makes school shoes. Each cutting knife, last and glue pot has its own numbered hook on the wall rack, and every worker hangs the item back on its hook after use. Arif, the supervisor, speaks of ‘our order’ and ‘our deadline’ in every meeting with the workers, and never of ‘my order’.
The workers come from different states and speak different languages. When promotions are due, Meena looks only at each worker’s work record, never at where the worker comes from.
Last year, a machine operator thought of a new way of laying out patterns on the leather. Meena let her try it out on the next order and gave her a cash reward when it cut waste.
Meena also found that the unit made shoes in fourteen sizes and five shades of black. She cut them down to six sizes and one shade.
Which statement is correct about the principle of Fayol that Meena followed when she let the machine operator try out the new method?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → It means taking the first step with self-motivation, by thinking out and carrying out a plan.
Option (1) It means taking the first step with self-motivation, by thinking out and carrying out a plan. — Correct. Meena followed initiative. Initiative means taking the first step with self-motivation, by thinking out and executing a plan. The operator thought of a new way to lay out patterns. Meena let her try it and rewarded the idea when it cut waste.
Option (2) It means that decision-making authority is spread among more than one person in the organisation. — Incorrect. This is decentralisation, the spread of decision-making authority. Meena did not hand over her power to decide. She let one worker test her own idea.
Option (3) It means that the overall pay and compensation should be fair to both employees and the organisation. — Incorrect. This is remuneration of employees. The cash reward was for a useful suggestion.
Option (4) It means that a manager should have authority in balance with the responsibility given to her. — Incorrect. This is authority and responsibility. The passage is about a worker’s new idea.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(xiii) Initative: 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.” |