Fayol’s principles of management

Correct answer: A. Division of work

Focusing on specialised work improves efficiency and quality. In exams link quality fall due to too many tasks with division of work.

Correct answer: B. Authority and responsibility

Adequate authority is needed to fulfil responsibility. In exams connect target without authority with authority and responsibility.

Correct answer: C. Discipline

Discipline is not only for subordinates but for the whole organisation. In exams connect rule compliance by all with discipline.

Correct answer: D. Unity of command

An employee should receive orders from one superior only. In exams treat two sources of orders as unity of command violation.

Correct answer: A. Unity of direction

Activities with the same objective should have one plan and one head. In exams link same objective separate plans with unity of direction.

Correct answer: B. Subordination of individual interest to general interest

Private gain should not be above the general interest of the firm. In exams link personal commission harming firm with general interest.

Correct answer: C. Remuneration

Remuneration should be fair and satisfactory. In exams connect pay structure with remuneration.

Correct answer: D. Excessive centralisation

Excessive centralisation can reduce decision speed. In exams connect even small decisions going to the top with centralisation.

Correct answer: A. Gang plank

Gang plank is a route for quick communication between same levels. In exams connect emergency direct contact with gang plank.

Correct answer: B. Order

Order keeps every thing and person at the right place. In exams connect fixed place with order.

Correct answer: C. Equity

Equity is based on balance of justice and kindness. In exams link fairness with firmness to equity.

Correct answer: D. Stability of tenure of personnel

Stability of personnel preserves experience and efficiency. In exams treat frequent shifting as against stability principle.

Correct answer: A. Initiative

Initiative gives employees freedom to plan and suggest. In exams connect employee suggestion with initiative.

Correct answer: B. Esprit de corps

Esprit de corps increases team spirit and unity. In exams connect stopping groupism with this principle.

Correct answer: C. They are general managerial guidelines applied according to the situation

Fayol’s fourteen principles provide broad guidance for managers in organising work and making decisions; they are not fixed laws that must be applied identically in every situation. Their application requires judgement because the size, nature and circumstances of organisations differ. Therefore, option C is correct. A common confusion is to assume that every principle must be followed in exactly the same way, but that would wrongly make them rigid laws. Exam tip: remember Fayol’s principles as flexible general guidelines.

Correct answer: D. Unity of direction

One superior may satisfy unity of command but same objective needs one plan. In exams keep one boss and one plan separate.

Correct answer: A. Division of work

Division of specialised tasks improves efficiency and accuracy. In exams connect specialised roles with division of work.

Correct answer: B. Authority and responsibility

Authority and responsibility should be equal. In exams treat authority with accountability as correct.

Correct answer: C. Equity

The direct answer is C, Equity. Discipline requires a clear punishment policy and obedience to rules, but applying that policy differently to different people creates a second problem: unfair treatment. Fayol’s principle of equity asks managers to be kind, fair, and impartial toward employees. The reasoning is: the rule exists for discipline; punishment is not given equally; employees in similar situations therefore receive unequal treatment; unequal treatment violates equity. Option A, Division of work, concerns assigning specialised tasks to improve efficiency, not fairness in punishment. Option B, Scalar chain, is the formal authority and communication line, so it is unrelated to equal application of a penalty. Option C is correct because the central issue is fairness and equal treatment. Option D, Centralisation, concerns the distribution of decision-making authority, not whether discipline is applied fairly. Remember: a clear rule may support Discipline, but biased or unequal treatment points to a violation of Equity.

Correct answer: D. Unity of command

Opposite orders from two superiors create confusion. In exams connect opposite instructions from two heads with unity of command.

Correct answer: A. Unity of direction

One plan for activities with the same objective is unity of direction. In exams connect common training objective with unity of direction.

Correct answer: B. Subordination of individual interest to general interest

Departmental interest should not be above general organisational interest. In exams link departmental selfishness with general interest.

Correct answer: C. Equity

Equity relates to treatment and justice while remuneration relates to pay. In exams keep fair pay and fair treatment separate.

Correct answer: D. Balance of centralisation and decentralisation

Fayol believed in balance of authority distribution according to situation. In exams connect strategic at top and routine below with balance.

Correct answer: A. Maintaining formal authority and communication order

Scalar chain maintains formal line of authority. In exams connect formal hierarchy with scalar chain.