Question

Which of the following principles of management was given by Henri Fayol and emphasizes that each employee should receive orders from only one superior?

• A. Unity of Direction
• B. Scalar Chain
• C. Unity of Command
• D. Discipline

Hint:

Remember: \[ \text{Unity of Command} = \text{One Employee, One Boss} \] \[ \text{Unity of Direction} = \text{One Plan, One Head} \]

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Henri Fayol introduced fourteen principles of management to improve organizational efficiency. One of the most important principles is Unity of Command. This principle states: \[ \text{One employee} \rightarrow \text{One boss} \] According to this principle, an employee should receive instructions from only one superior to avoid confusion, conflict, and overlapping authority.

Step 1: Understanding the principle of Unity of Command.
When an employee receives orders from multiple superiors:
• Confusion arises.
• Discipline gets disturbed.
• Employees may face conflicting instructions.
• Responsibility becomes difficult to determine. Therefore Fayol suggested that: \[ \text{Each subordinate must report to only one superior} \]

Step 2: Distinguishing from Unity of Direction.
Many students confuse Unity of Command with Unity of Direction.
• Unity of Command: One employee should receive orders from one boss.
• Unity of Direction: One plan and one head for similar activities. Thus they are completely different principles.

Step 3: Analyzing all options.

• Unity of Direction relates to one plan.
• Scalar Chain refers to chain of authority.
• Unity of Command refers to one boss for one employee.
• Discipline refers to obedience and respect. Hence the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{Unity of Command}} \]