Fayol's Principles of Management

1 Mark Questions

1. What is meant by Fayol's principle of 'esprit de corps'? (Delhi 2011) Ans. Fayol's principle of 'esprit de corps' suggests that management should promote a team spirit of unity and harmony among the employees.
2. Which principle of management implies that there should be 'one head and one plan' for a group of activities having the same objective?

(All India 2010)

Ans. Principle of unity of direction implies that there should be 'one head and one plan' for a group of activities having the same objective.

1. Which principle of management states that an employee should receive orders from one superior only? (Delhi 2010c)

Ans. Unity of command states that an employee should receive orders from one superior only.

1. What does the principle of initiative indicate? (Delhi 2009)

Ans. Principle of initiative indicates that the management should encourage workers to think, make and execute plans within prescribed limits of authority.

1. Why did Fayol introduce the concept of 'gang plank' in the principle of 'scalar Chain'? (All India 2009)

Ans. Fayol introduced the concept of 'gang plank' in the principle of 'scalar chain' to overcome the problem of communication delay in urgent matters.

1. Which principle of management is violated, if a subordinate is asked to

receive orders from two or more superiors? (HOTS; Delhi 2008C)

Ans. Principle of 'unity of command' is violated.

3 Marks Questions

1. Telco Ltd is manufacturing files and folders from the old clothes to discourage

use of plastic files and folders. For this, they employ people from nearby villages where very less job opportunities are available. An employee, Harish, designed a plan for the cost reduction but it was not welcomed by the production manager. Another employee gave some suggestion for improvement in design, but it was also not appreciated by the production manager.

• State the principle of management described in the above para.
• Identify any two values that the company wants to communicate to the society. (Compartment 2014)

Ans. (i) Initiative Henry Fayol suggested that work should be encouraged to develop and carry out their plans for improvements. Initiative means taking the first step with self-motivation.

1. Values which the company wants to communicate to the society are:

• Creation of job opportunities.

Concern for environment.

1. Voltech India Lid is manufacturing LED bulbs to save electricity and running

under heavy losses. To revive from the losses, the management thought of shifting the unit to a backward area where labour is available at a low cost. The management also asked the workers to work overtime without any additional payment and promised to increase the wages of the workers after achieving its mission. Within a short period the company started earning profits because both the management and the workers honoured their commitments. (Compartment 2014)

State the principle of management described in the above para. Identify any two values that the company wants to communicate to the society.

Ans. (i) Discipline As suggested by Henry Fayol, discipline is the obedience to organisational rules and employment agreement which are necessary for the working of the organisation. He also suggested that there should be clear and fair agreements and judicious application of penalties.

1. Values communicated by the company towards the society are:

• Concern for environment (by manufacturing LED bulbs).
• Development of backward areas.

9. Name and explain the principle of management according to which a manager should replace 'I' with 'We' in all his conversation with workers? (HOTS; Delhi 2013)

Ans. Esprit de corps It is the principle of management, according to which a manager should replace 'I' with 'We' in all his conversation with workers.

Literally speaking, the phrase 'esprit de corps' means the spirit of loyalty and devotion which unites the members of the group.

According to Fayol, management should promote a team spirit of unity and harmony among employees. A manager should replace 'I' with 'We' in all his conversation with workers to foster team spirit. This will give rise to a spirit of mutual trust and belongingness among team members.