Question

Delegation of authority definition and decentralization

Answer 1

---> Delegation means the passing of authority by one person who is at a superior position to someone else who is subordinate to him. It is the downward assignment of authority, whereby the manager allocates work among subordinates.
.......Definition of Delegation......

The assignment of authority or decision-making power or duty of a person who is at a higher level to an individual who is below his level is known as Delegation. It is a requirement of the all the organisation, for its growth and development.

A delegation of authority refers that the senior is handing over the decision-making powers to his junior. Although, the senior cannot pass on an authority which he does not possess. With the help of delegation, the workload can be divided to different individuals as well as the responsibility is also shared among them. The person who delegates the authority is known as Delegator while the person who is delegated the authority is known as Delegatee.

There are three major elements of Delegation:

Authority: The rights and powers which are delegated.

Responsibility: The duties and tasks which are to be performed are delegated.

Accountability: Reporting on the discharge of responsibility or use of authority is accountability which cannot be delegated.

.....answer by @ARPzh....................................................................................................
--->Decentralization refers to the dispersal of powers by the top level management to the other level management. It is the systematic transfer of powers and responsibility, throughout the corporate ladder. It elucidates how the power to take decisions is distributed in the organizational hierarchy.
........Definition of Decentralization.....

The transfer of authorities, functions, rights, duties, powers and accountability of the top level management to the middle or low-level management is known as Decentralization. It is nothing but the delegation of authority, in the entire organisation or it can be said that decentralization is an improvement over delegation. When there is decentralization, the considerable authority, responsibility and accountability are vested to the lower levels of the organisational hierarchy.

Many organisations take decisions regarding the diffusion of authority from a higher level to other levels of management like departments, divisions, units, centres, etc. This dissemination of authority is known as delegation, but when it is exercised in the whole entity, on a large scale, it is decentralization. So here it must be noted that the extent to which the right, duties and powers are disseminated is important.

This is the greatest advantage of decentralization that the top management gets unburden, and timely decisions can now be taken on different matters. Moreover, it will lead to better supervision and motivation of the employees.