The acceptance theory of authority presents a contrast to the traditional formal view of authority. According to the acceptance theory, authority in the ultimate analysis depends on
the acceptance or consent of the people who are managed
(subordinates) rather than legitimacy, or any legal, social or cultural norms.
The acceptance theory of authority states that
a manager’s authority rests on workers’ acceptance of his right to give orders and to expect compliance
.
Acceptance Theory of Authority: ADVERTISEMENTS: This theory was formulated by
Mary Parker Follett but later popularized by Chester Barnard
. It is also known as bottom-up authority.
Who suggested the concept of zone of acceptance?
Simon
has adopted and developed the notion of subordinate acceptability by re- ferring to the range of behavior within which subordinates are ready to accept decisions made for them by their superiors as their “zone of acceptance.”4 Other scholars have referred to this area as the “zone of acceptability” and the “zone …
Competence Theory:
According to this,
authority has its source in the technical competence of the superior
. 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.
Managers should pay close attention to two aspects of legitimate power: Ensure that
you are clear about the limits of your authority
and that it is adequate given the scope of your responsibilities. … Also ensure that you have adequate performance management processes in place.
Generally, people accept authority
because they know they can’t be in control without a ruler or law
. They wanted someone to control them to bring obedience and order among them. … They need an authority to present their ideas to society and implement it.
Explanation :
The formal authority theory
is also called traditional authority theory. Traditional authority (also known as traditional domination) is a form of leadership in which the authority of an organization or a ruling regime is largely tied to tradition or custom.
Authority refers to the legal right to relinquish command, influence or compel someone, while
responsibility comes after authority
.
What is the zone of acceptance?
The Zone of Acceptance is a term
for the tasks an individual sees as something they are prepared to do as part of their job
. This can relate to tasks, overtime, meeting attendance and more.
Barnard’s Cooperative System. Chester I. … “Barnard stressed that organizations are essentially cooperative systems, integrating the contributions of individual participants” Scott p. 62 He defined the organization as “
that kind of cooperation among men that is conscious, deliberate, and purposeful
“.
Traditional authority (also known as traditional domination) is
a form of leadership in which the authority of an organization or a ruling regime is largely tied to tradition or custom
. The main reason for the given state of affairs is that it “has always been that way”.
What is the acceptance of a leader by subordinates?
Participative
: when leader solicits ideas and suggestions from subordinates and invites their participation in decisions that directly affect them. This concept refers to the state where subordinate complies with the directives and orders of his leader and is always ready to accept the decisions made by the leader.
Power is an entity’s or individual’s ability to control or direct others, while authority
is influence that is predicated on perceived legitimacy
. Consequently, power is necessary for authority, but it is possible to have power without authority.
Meaning of Authority:
It is
the power to issue directions
, allocate resources, make decisions, command people etc. … Authority is the right to perform or command. It allows its holder to act in certain designated ways and to directly influence the actions of others through orders.
- Assignment of Duties to Subordinates. Before delegation can begin, the delegator needs to determine the duties which they want the subordinate(s) to perform. …
- Transfer of Authority to Perform the Duty. …
- Acceptance of the Assignment. …
- Accountability.
Authority is the power delegated by senior executives to assign duties to all employees for better functioning.
Responsibility is the commitment to fulfil a task given by
an executive. Accountability makes a person answerable for his or her work based on their position, strength, and skills.
Power, leadership, authority and influence are all around us. … Remember that power is the ability to do something the specific way you want to do it by any means necessary.
Leadership is painting a vision for others to
follow. Authority is when a person has the right to give you an order or direction.
Authority is the legal right to give the command, order or instruction and compel the subordinates to do a certain act. On the other hand,
Responsibility is the outcome of authority
. It entails the obligation of the subordinate, who has been assigned the duty by his superior.
Authority is the position; leadership is
the character of the player
. Authority doesn’t grant you automatic devotion, nor does it inspire those around you. It lends you the power to give orders, but a good leader realizes their role involves much more than giving orders and observing the results.
Authority can be used to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property
. Authority can be used to provide order and security in people’s lives. For example, air traffic controllers prevent accidents and provide safety for airplane passengers. Authority can be used to manage conflict peacefully and fairly.
What is the traditional theory?
The traditional theory of capital structure says that
a firm’s value increases to a certain level of debt capital
, after which it tends to remain constant and eventually begins to decrease if there is too much borrowing. … A blend of equity and debt financing can lead to a firm’s optimal capital structure.
Traditional authority:
Power legitimized by respect for long-established cultural patterns
. … Rational-legal authority: Also known as bureaucratic authority, is when power is legitimized by legally enacted rules and regulations such as Weber.
Adaptability- the traditional ‘Westminster model’ of constitution has withstood the test of time and has
enabled practical and pertinent reforms when necessary
. This flexibility is also an advantage as it means that the constitution can adapt smoothly and speedily to accommodate political and social change.
Which theory is Chester Barnard?
| Chester Irving Barnard | Known for The Functions of the Executive (1938) | Scientific career | Fields organizational theory | Influences Max Weber, Kurt Lewin, Vilfredo Pareto |
|---|
What are the 3 main elements of organization according to Barnard?
Barnard has identified three types of functions which an executive performs in a formal organisation.
maintenance or organizational communication through formal interactions
. the securing of essential services from individuals to achieve organizational purpose. the formulation and definition of organizational purpose.
Responsibility
is closely related to authority. It is exacted upwards whereas authority flows downwards. A manager is responsible ultimately for the performance of his duties even though he has delegated it to his subordinates. Therefore responsibility cannot be delegated.
Authority is the right to
give orders
and the power to exact obedience. … Authority and responsibility should be equal. In other words required amount of authority should be delegated to discharge responsibility. This principle avoids misuse of authority and at the same time helps in proper discharge of responsibility.
What is the zone of indifference?
The zone of indifference is a qualitative term that refers to this notion that people may overeat or under eat without knowing it7. Specifically, the zone of indifference represents
a range of consumption (e.g. range of number of bites people take) in which no differences in satiety are reported
.
What is Peter Drucker theory?
Drucker believed that
managers should, above all else, be leaders
. Rather than setting strict hours and discouraging innovation, he opted for a more flexible, collaborative approach. He placed high importance on decentralization, knowledge work, management by objectives (MBO) and a process called SMART.
| Authority Responsibility | Authority normally arises due to the position of the boss in the organization. Responsibility arises from superior subordinate relations, whereby the subordinate agrees to perform such duties as he is assigned to. |
|---|
Who developed the concept of zone of indifference?
Notes:
Chester Barnard
developed a zone of indifference in respect of acceptance of authority by a subordinate from his manager. Barnard does not agree with traditional concept of authority and introduces ‘acceptance’ as the basis of his theory of authority.
What is zone of indifference in management?
Zone of Indifference –
the range in which attempts to influence a person will be perceived as legitimate and will be acted on without a great deal of thought
.
- Academic authority.
- Charismatic authority.
- Expert authority.
- Founder authority.
- Legal governing authority.
- Organizational position authority.
- Ownership authority.
- Prophetic authority.
Charismatic authority is
a concept of leadership developed by the German sociologist Max Weber
. It involves a type of organization or a type of leadership in which authority derives from the charisma of the leader. This stands in contrast to two other types of authority: legal authority and traditional authority.
The delegation of authority is the
process by which a manager divides and assigns work to his subordinates
. The manager himself only performs the tasks that require his special talents and expertize. The rest of the work and its responsibility he will divide and delegate to his subordinates.
What role did Chester Barnard play in advancing the study of management theory?
Barnard developed a theory of organization around the idea that it is a natural, cooperative system. … Moreover, he described the primary function of
an executive as maintaining the cooperative system in a state of external and internal equilibrium
.
What is the relevance of the theory of Chester Barnard for today’s manager?
Barnard makes a case for a balanced management or leadership style as few others do. … PURPOSE:
THE UNIFYING AND COORDINATING PRINCIPLE
Perhaps the single most significant contribution of Barnard’s book is the articulation of the concept of organization purpose. According to Andrews (1968):
What is Chester Barnard zone of indifference?
Chester Barnard coined the term “zone of indifference”
to characterize the manner in which employees follow the direction of managers
. It would be tremendously inefficient if managers had to justify every directive they gave to their subordinates. In reality, a “zone” of acceptable directives is created over time.
Traditional authority is
a type of leadership in which the authority of a ruling regime is largely tied to tradition or custom
. They obey him based on the belief that this is their duty, sanctioned by tradition. … Patrimonial government is related to this model, but is slightly different.
Nzimiro (1972 : 65 – 68) summarized the functions of traditional authorities in typical traditional societies to include: Political (policy making and political decision) judicial (the administration of justice executive (the enforcement of law and order) and
military
(the protection of territorial intergrity).
Section 211(2) of the Constitution
84
regards traditional authorities as
primary agents of development
. They are seen as the representatives of the community and as such are entrusted with an important responsibility, namely that of harmonising community customs and traditions with the ethos of the Constitution.
