Fayol’s principles of management

Correct answer: A. Gang plank is a practical exception to scalar chain

Scalar chain is Fayol’s formal line of authority extending through the organisational hierarchy. It normally guides communication upward and downward, preserves accountability and prevents confusion about reporting relationships. Gang plank is a limited practical exception: when urgent communication is required, people at corresponding levels may communicate directly rather than waiting for every link in the chain, while the relevant authorities should remain informed. Thus option A correctly describes gang plank as a practical exception to scalar chain. It is not a wage-setting mechanism, so option B confuses it with remuneration. Scalar chain is not a material-order system, eliminating option C. Properly controlled use of gang plank does not destroy stability; routine or careless use would weaken discipline, so option D is also incorrect.

Correct answer: B. Division of work

Assigning a person to specialised work improves efficiency. Exam tip: errors from excessive multitasking are a division of work clue.

Correct answer: D. Authority and responsibility

Necessary authority should accompany responsibility. Exam tip: treat responsibility without resource authority as a violation.

Correct answer: A. Discipline and equity

Rule compliance and fairness are both necessary. Exam tip: treat selective discipline as a discipline and equity issue.

Correct answer: C. Unity of command

An employee should receive orders from one superior. Exam tip: connect opposite orders from two heads with unity of command.

Correct answer: B. Unity of direction

One plan and one direction are needed for one objective. Exam tip: connect same launch different direction with unity of direction.

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

Harming the organisation for a relative's benefit is against general interest. Exam tip: treat relative purchase as a personal interest clue.

Correct answer: D. Centralisation and decentralisation

Excessive centralisation in small decisions can cause delay. Exam tip: connect branch delay with decentralisation balance.

Correct answer: C. Gang plank

Gang plank is a shortcut for urgent communication. Exam tip: connect same level crisis communication with gang plank.

Correct answer: A. Order

Order places both people and materials at the right place. Exam tip: connect material plus person placement with order.

Correct answer: B. Equity

Direct answer: Option B, equity. Fayol’s equity principle requires managers to treat employees fairly, impartially, and with appropriate kindness. The situation says that the manager hears complaints but accepts only the words of favourite employees. The step-by-step issue is clear: complaints from different employees should be considered by the same fair standard; favouritism gives extra trust to selected people without a proper reason; therefore equal and fair treatment is missing. Option B is correct because favouritism is a direct violation of equity. Option A, discipline, concerns obedience to rules, agreements, and workplace conduct; the question focuses on biased treatment, not primarily rule-breaking. Option C, scalar chain, concerns the formal line of authority and communication; no broken reporting line is described. Option D, division of work, concerns specialising and distributing tasks; it has nothing directly to do with listening fairly. Remember: favouritism, unfair preference, and unequal treatment are strong clues for equity.

Correct answer: D. Initiative

Initiative gives employees the opportunity to plan and suggest. Exam tip: connect cost saving suggestion with initiative.

Correct answer: D. Esprit de corps

Esprit de corps increases cooperation and we feeling. Exam tip: connect information hoarding with weak team spirit.

Correct answer: A. Division of work

Ability based specialised work is division of work. Exam tip: connect specialised administrative work with division of work.

Correct answer: B. Remuneration

Remuneration should be fair and satisfactory. Exam tip: treat secret incentive criteria as a remuneration issue.

Correct answer: C. Unity of direction

One plan and one message should exist for one objective. Exam tip: connect same campaign different messages with unity of direction.

Correct answer: D. Maintain unity of command

Orders from one superior are needed to avoid conflicting directions. Exam tip: connect discount conflict with unity of command.

Correct answer: A. Both statements are correct

Both are correct because gang plank is a quick shortcut in scalar chain. Exam tip: remember formal line plus shortcut.

Correct answer: B. Balance of centralisation and decentralisation

Giving some authority downward can help when local information matters. Exam tip: connect regional opportunity loss with decentralisation.

Correct answer: C. Agreement must be followed by both parties

Discipline is not only employee rule compliance. Exam tip: connect management agreement compliance with discipline.

Correct answer: D. Division of work

Specialised work improves efficiency and quality. Exam tip: treat chef doing unrelated tasks as a division of work issue.

Correct answer: A. Order

Order also requires the right material at the right place. Exam tip: connect equipment placement with order.

Correct answer: B. Equity

The direct answer is B, Equity. Fayol’s equity principle does not always mean giving every employee exactly the same amount. It means using a fair and reasonable basis while treating people with respect and without unjust bias. The reasoning is: bonuses differ; the difference is based on measured performance, not personal favouritism; the manager explains the decision respectfully to everyone; therefore the reward process is fair and respectful. Option A, Discipline, concerns obedience to rules and agreements, but the example focuses on fair rewards and respectful treatment. Option B is correct because equity allows fair differences when there is a relevant reason such as performance. Option C, Gang plank, is a communication shortcut between employees at the same level, not a bonus policy. Option D, Centralisation, concerns decision-making authority, not fairness in rewards. Do not make the common mistake of confusing equality with equity: equality can mean identical treatment, whereas equity means just treatment based on a proper reason.

Correct answer: C. Remuneration

Remuneration should be satisfactory and suitable to the nature of work. Exam tip: connect risky work allowance with remuneration.

Correct answer: D. Initiative

Opportunity to plan and implement is initiative. Exam tip: connect employee plan implementation with initiative.