Correct Answer:
A. Every employee should report to one superior
The principle of Unity of Command is a fundamental concept in classical management theory, most notably articulated by Henri Fayol. It is designed to ensure clarity, accountability, and efficiency within an organizational structure by preventing confusion and conflicting directives. This principle is crucial for maintaining a stable and effective chain of command.
- Every employee should report to one superior is the correct definition. This principle dictates that an individual employee should receive orders from and be accountable to only one direct supervisor. This eliminates ambiguity, reduces the likelihood of conflicting instructions, and ensures a clear line of authority and responsibility.
- Ensuring all departments work together refers to coordination, which is another important management function, but it is distinct from the specific principle of unity of command. Coordination focuses on harmonizing efforts across different units.
- Organizational hierarchical structure describes the overall arrangement of reporting relationships within an organization. While unity of command operates within this structure, it is a specific principle governing individual reporting lines, not the entire structure itself.
- Delegation of authority across horizontal levels pertains to decentralization or horizontal coordination, where decision-making power is distributed or shared among peers or different departments, which is not the essence of unity of command.