Henri Fayol's 14 Principles of Management Quiz

Principles of Management

The principles of management are a set of guidelines for managing operations within organizations. These principles help managers plan, organize, and control operations related to material, people, machines, methods, money, and markets. They provide leadership to human efforts so that they achieve set objectives efficiently. The most famous principles of management were postulated by Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer, in 1916.

Henri Fayol's 14 Principles of Management

1. Division of labor: This principle involves dividing the tasks within an organization into different teams, each specialized in their tasks. This leads to more efficient and specialized work.
2. Authority and responsibility: This principle refers to the balance of authority and responsibility within an organization. Managers should be able to ensure their tasks are being done without fail, and workers must be responsible for complying with orders.
3. Discipline: This principle emphasizes the importance of obedience and compliance within the organization. A culture of mutual respect must be created to avoid the imposition of discipline.
4. Unity of command: This principle states that each worker should receive orders from a single boss or superior to avoid duality of authority.
5. Unity of direction: This principle suggests that all activities within an organization should have one objective and one plan of action.
6. Subordination of individual interest: This principle emphasizes the importance of the organization's objectives over individual interests.
7. Remuneration: This principle suggests that employees should be paid according to their work and performance.
8. Centralization: This principle refers to the division of authority between managers and subordinates. Centralization can either be decentralized or centralized depending on the organization's needs.
9. Scalar chain: This principle emphasizes the importance of a clear chain of command within the organization.
10. Order: This principle suggests that everything within the organization should be arranged in a systematic manner.
11. Equity: This principle emphasizes fairness and justice within the organization.
12. Stability of tenure of personnel: This principle suggests that employees should have a stable and long-term relationship with the organization.
13. Initiative: This principle encourages employees to take initiative and make decisions without requiring explicit orders.
14. Espirit de corps: This principle emphasizes the importance of teamwork and cooperation within the organization.

These principles have been widely credited for making employees highly efficient and productive, in turn generating the best possible results and effortless functioning of the organization. They have been influential in the early 20th century and continue to be relevant today, forming the basis for modern management theories and practices.