Organisation
In a growing technology firm, the CEO decided to reorganize operations to improve efficiency. The company adopted a formal organization structure by clearly defining roles and responsibilities for each employee, creating specialized departments such as R&D, Marketing, and Customer Support. Job descriptions, reporting relationships, and workflows were documented in an organizational chart.
However, alongside this structure, the company recognized the importance of informal organization—social networks and personal relationships among employees. For example, employees from different departments formed a cross-functional team to brainstorm innovative ideas over coffee breaks, fostering collaboration beyond formal channels.
To ensure smooth operations, the CEO implemented delegation of authority by empowering department heads to make decisions within their domains, such as approving budgets and setting project timelines. This delegation freed the CEO to focus on strategic planning. However, the CEO made it clear that accountability remained with the department heads—they were responsible for ensuring tasks were completed and goals met.
This combination of structured formal processes, informal collaboration, and clear delegation of authority improved decision-making, enhanced employee morale, and boosted the firm’s overall productivity.
The term “accountability” in the case implies:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Answerability
Option (1) Answerability — Correct. Accountability means being answerable for the final outcome. It cannot be delegated and flows upwards: the subordinate is answerable to the superior. In the case, the department heads must answer for completing the tasks and meeting the goals.
Option (2) Responsibility — Incorrect. Responsibility is the obligation to do the task given to a person. Accountability arises from it, but the two are different. Responsibility is about doing the work, and accountability is about answering for its result.
Option (3) Feedback — Incorrect. Feedback is the means by which accountability is enforced, through regular reports on work done. It is not what the word means.
Option (4) Authority — Incorrect. Authority is the right to command. It flows downward from superior to subordinate, the opposite direction to accountability.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “(iii) Accountability: … Accountability implies being answerable for the final outcome. Once authority has been delegated and responsibility accepted, one cannot deny accountability. It cannot be delegated and flows upwards, i.e., a subordinate will be accountable to a superior for satisfactory performance of work. …” |