Fayol’s principles of management

Esprit de corps increases group spirit and cooperation. In exams connect we-feeling with this principle.

Initiative gives employees opportunity to present ideas and suggest plans. In exams connect suggestions with initiative.

Fayol's principles provide broad managerial guidance. In exams do not limit them only to factories.

According to Fayol’s principle of unity of command, each employee should receive orders from only one superior. This prevents conflicting instructions, divided accountability, and confusion. Unity of direction, in contrast, means one plan and one head for activities with the same objective; it is not about the number of supervisors giving orders. Exam tip: “one employee—one boss” indicates unity of command.

In decentralisation authority is shared with lower levels. In exams connect authority sharing with decentralisation.

Same objective should have one plan and one head. In exams connect marketing same objective with unity of direction.

Discipline may include rule following and fair penalties. In exams connect fair discipline with discipline principle.

Authority and responsibility should be balanced. In exams connect delegated authority with accountability to this principle.

Esprit de corps increases unity and cooperation among employees. In exams remember team spirit as opposite of divide and rule.

Frequent shifting weakens specialisation. In exams connect loss of specialisation with division of work.

Order requires the right person at the right position. In exams connect right person right job with order.

Fair pay reduces dissatisfaction and improves motivation. In exams connect fair wage issue with remuneration.

Equity includes balanced treatment with justice and kindness. In exams connect fairness with kindness to equity.

Stable tenure preserves experience and organisational knowledge. In exams connect employee retention with stability.

General interest should be above private interest. In exams write this principle for personal goal versus organisational goal.

Gang plank allows quick communication within scalar chain. In exams connect emergency communication with gang plank.

Discouraging initiative can reduce creativity and enthusiasm. In exams connect employee ideas with initiative.

Unity of direction is needed for activities with the same objective. In exams connect purchase activities with unity of direction.

Fayol suggested balance between centralisation and decentralisation. In exams connect authority sharing with decentralisation.

The principle of order emphasises keeping material at the right place. In exams connect scattered material with order.

Esprit de corps increases team spirit and cooperation. In exams connect low group spirit with esprit de corps.

Unity of command is against receiving orders from many superiors. In exams treat many superiors as violation.

The two concepts are discipline and equity, so option C is correct. Fayol’s principle of discipline requires respect for organisational rules, agreements, authority and expected conduct. His principle of equity requires managers to treat employees with fairness, kindness and impartiality while carrying out organisational decisions. The question deliberately combines these two definitions: rule following identifies discipline, whereas fair treatment identifies equity. Option A combines centralisation and division of work, which concern authority distribution and specialisation. Option B combines initiative and order, and option D combines payment with the formal line of authority. None of those pairs expresses both required ideas.

Fayol's principles give broad managerial guidance. In exams remember them as 14 general management principles.

Balance between authority and responsibility is necessary for effective work. In exams always link authority with responsibility.