Question 3 (b) part ii
Delegation and decentralisation distinguished (short note)
3 marks
- Time to write
- About 6 minutes
From an older CBCS paper
Question
Question 3 (b) part ii · 3 marksWrite notes on following: (ii) Delegation Vs Decentralisation
Reworded from the university paper; the task is the same. The original paper belongs to the University of Delhi. See DU's question bank.
Before you write
Read off the question and its marks
Read from the question
- notes onA note opens with the meaning, then two or three key points. No long introduction.
Write it in this order
- 1 Meaning of delegation ½ mark 1 min
- 2 Meaning of decentralisation ½ mark 1 min
- 3 Points of distinction, with example 2 marks 4 min
Easy marks
- Meaning of delegation (step 1, ½ mark): a definition in one or two lines. It opens the answer, so it takes a minute or two.
- Meaning of decentralisation (step 2, ½ mark): a definition in one or two lines. A minute or two.
Short on time? Cut step 3 short rather than leave anything out.
Try it first. About 6 minutes for 3 marks. Write it out, then open the solution.
Solution
Hover or tap a marked figure, like 72,000, to see how it is made and where else it appears.
Louis Allen describes delegation as entrusting responsibility and authority to another person and creating accountability for performance. It takes place between a superior and his immediate subordinate.
1The counter can't say yes: she phones head office upstairs while the queue fumes.
CentralisationConcentrated at the top; slower; matters go up the hierarchy.
2The same counter, but the stamp is in her own hand—upstairs, the boss studies the plan.
DecentralisationSpread across levels; decisions taken on the spot; top managers focus on strategy.
Decentralisation is the sharing of decision-making authority with the lower levels of the organisation, so that it rests close to the points of action; put simply, it is delegation carried through all the levels. The more authority is delegated throughout the organisation, the more decentralised it is.
Delegation and decentralisation distinguished
| Basis | Delegation | Decentralisation |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Narrow: between a superior and his immediate subordinate | Wide: delegation extended down to the lowest level |
| Nature | Compulsory, since no one can do every task himself | Optional, a policy decision of top management |
| Purpose | To reduce the manager's burden | To give subordinates a bigger role and more autonomy |
| Status | A process for sharing tasks | The result of a policy decision of top management |
| Freedom of action | Less freedom, since superiors keep more control | More freedom, since there is less control over executives |
The points of distinction are those of the study text. When the sales head of a Kolkata FMCG distributor asks one assistant to prepare the monthly sales report, that is delegation; when the firm lets every branch manager fix local discounts and hire staff, it has decentralised.
Where the 3 marks sit
| # | Component | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meaning of delegation | 0.5 |
| 2 | Meaning of decentralisation | 0.5 |
| 3 | Points of distinction, with example | 2 |
| Total | 3 |
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