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Hierarchy

1) Hierarchy refers to the graded organization of authority and responsibility within administrative structures, involving superior and subordinate relationships across multiple levels. 2) The key principles of hierarchy include communications passing through proper channels, authority and responsibility being equal and co-terminus, and subordinates receiving orders from only one superior. 3) While hierarchy provides order and efficiency, it can also lead to rigidity, a lack of initiative among subordinates, and superiors losing touch with lower levels over time if not remedied. "Gangplank", or level jumping, is suggested as an alternative communication channel in some cases.

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432 views16 pages

Hierarchy

1) Hierarchy refers to the graded organization of authority and responsibility within administrative structures, involving superior and subordinate relationships across multiple levels. 2) The key principles of hierarchy include communications passing through proper channels, authority and responsibility being equal and co-terminus, and subordinates receiving orders from only one superior. 3) While hierarchy provides order and efficiency, it can also lead to rigidity, a lack of initiative among subordinates, and superiors losing touch with lower levels over time if not remedied. "Gangplank", or level jumping, is suggested as an alternative communication channel in some cases.

Uploaded by

Rishik Gupta (Riskytemp)
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PBA396

Introduction to Public Administration

UNIT:3
LECTURE -15
PRINCIPLE OF HIERARCHY
Lecture objectives

■ To understand the meaning of hierarchy


■ To know the principles of hierarchy
■ To discuss the advantages and disadvantages of hierarchy
■ To describe the concept of gangplank as a remedy to the disadvantages of hierarchy
Meaning

■ The term Hierarchy‘ is derived from the Greek term for


a ruling body of priests organized into ranks.

■ Scalar: derived from ‘scale’ means ladder with several steps

■ Hierarchy means the rule or control of the lower by the higher.

■ In administration hierarchy means a graded organization of


several successive steps or levels, which are interlinked.

■ It implies creation of superior-subordinate relationship


Continued…

■ Hierarchy was emphasized by all the classical thinkers.

 Fayol: Scalar chain


 Mooney and Reiley: Scalar process
 Moony: hierarchy is a universal phenomenon.
Definitions

L.D. White:
Hierarchy consists of the universal application of the superior-subordinate relationship
through a number of levels of responsibility reaching from top to the bottom of the structure.

Max Weber:
The organization of offices follows the principle of hierarchy, that is, each lower office is under
the control and supervision of a higher one.
Principles of Hierarchy

 1. Principles of ‘through proper channel’ - all commands and communications should pass
through a proper channel.

 No intermediate level can be skipped in transacting business.

.2. Principle of ‘correspondence’ - authority and responsibility should be co-equal and


coterminous at all levels.

 authority without responsibility is dangerous and responsibility without authority is meaningless.

3. Principle of ‘unity of command’- a subordinate should receive orders from one superior only.
Continued…

• A is the head of the organisation.


• immediate subordinate of A is B
• immediate subordinate of B is C.
• But C is also subordinate to A through B.
• This is true of all the other levels in the line, that is
D, E, F & G.
Continued…

■ Orders flow from top to bottom

 from A to B. B to C and so on

■ communication flows from bottom to top

 from G to F, F to E, and so on.


Continued…
■ The communication between G to Q takes place
through A,

 it ascends to A from G and descends from A to Q in


a step by step manner.

 This is called communication ‘through proper


channel.’

■ The line of authority linking the entire organisation is


represented in the diagram.
Advantages
■ It not only provides channel of command and control but also channels of communications both
upward and downward.

■ It formalized procedures promote certainty, precision and efficiency in administration.

■ It gives effect to “through proper channel” method of dealings.

■ Facilitates the delegation of authority

■ It prevents congestion of work at the top level


■ It helps in coordination by securing unity of purpose.
■ It promotes discipline and order in the organization.
Disadvantages

■ The rigid observance of the rule of “through proper channel” involves red-tape which in turn
causes inordinate delay in the disposal of work.

■ Hierarchical system discourages initiative and drive of the lower level personnel

■ Not conducive for the growth of dynamic human relations among members of the organisations

 It brings too much rigidity in administration.


Continued…

■ It makes the organization tall (over-extended).

 the personnel at the top lose touch with the personnel at the lower level.

 human relations are neglected , motivation and morale suffer.


Continued…
■ It creates superior-subordinate relationship due to differences at various levels in the
following respects.

– Distribution of authority and privileges.

– Nature of responsibilities.

– Pay scales

– Qualifications and quality of the staff.

 
Remedy of Hierarchical Disadvantage-
■ To speed up the flow of business and avoid delay in disposal of
cases, Henry Fayol suggested an alternative route called
‘GANGPLANK’.

■ Henri Fayol’s “Gang Plank” refers to the need for level jumping
in hierarchy bound organization.

• It stands for establishing a communication channel with an employee of the same level.
• Fayol suggests that a bridge can be thrown across the formal lines of authority.
• Recourse to gang plank is possible only where the immediate superiors authorize such a relationship.
Continued…

■ H. Fayol asserts:

it is an error to depart needlessly from the line of authority, but it is an even greater
one to keep to it when detriment to the business ensures.

■ Lyndall Urwick observes:

every organisation must have its scalar chain just as every house must have its drain but it
is unnecessary to use this channel frequently as the sole means of communication as it is
unnecessary to pass one’s time in the drain

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