The acceptance theory of authority states that
a manager’s authority over his/her subordinates
depends on the willingness of the subordinates to accept his/her right to give orders and comply with them.
The influential sociologist Max Weber proposed a theory of authority that included three types. He pioneered a path towards understanding how authority is legitimated as a belief system. … Weber’s three types of authority are
traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational authority
.
Competence Theory:
The manager, according to this theory,
has no authority
but his words are heard and orders are obeyed only because of his intelligence, knowledge, skill competence and experience. … So the knowledge or competence of a person gives him a status where his authority is accepted by others.
Acceptance theory of authority states
that a manager’s authority rests on workers’ acceptance of his right to give orders and to expect compliance
. Workers have to believe that the manager can legitimately give orders and there is a legitimate expectation that the orders will be carried out.
The acceptance theory of authority presents a contrast to the traditional formal view of authority. … He argued that
management has only as much authority or power as subordinates is willing to accept and to the extent they consent to comply with directives
.
The sociologist and philosopher Max Weber distinguishes three types of authority—
charismatic, traditional and legal-rational
—each of which corresponds to a brand of leadership that is operative in contemporary society.
Basis for Comparison Power Authority Meaning Power means the ability or potential of an individual to influence others and control their actions. The legal and formal right to give orders and commands, and take decisions is known as an Authority.
- Academic authority.
- Charismatic authority.
- Expert authority.
- Founder authority.
- Legal governing authority.
- Organizational position authority.
- Ownership authority.
- Prophetic authority.
Answer: Authority is
the legal right of an individual or superior to direct his subordinates
, whereas responsibility is the duty of the person to fulfill his duties according to performance requirements.
- Legal/Formal Authority:
- Traditional Authority:
- Acceptance Theory:
- Competence Theory:
- Charismatic Authority:
The acceptance theory of authority was originally conceived by
Mary Parker Follett
, but was popularized later by Chester Barnard (1886-1961) through his 1938 book, The Functions of the Executive.
What is acceptability theory?
The theoretical framework of acceptability (TFA) consists of seven component constructs:
affective attitude, burden, perceived effectiveness, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity costs, and self-efficacy
.
What is human relations theory?
Human relations theory:
a school of organizational thought which focuses on worker satisfaction, informal workplace organizations, and a means of influencing employee productivity
. Unlike scientism, human relations theory does not view workers as essentially interchangeable parts.
Legitimacy, dominance, informality, rationality and accountability
are the characteristics of authority.
In line organization, authority flows from the top to the bottom. It is also known as
the chain of command or scalar principle
.
In traditional authority,
the legitimacy of the authority comes from tradition
; in charismatic authority from the personality and leadership qualities of the individual; and in rational-legal authority from people that are bureaucratically and legally attached to certain positions.
