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Unit 9: Delegation, Authority and Power

Notes
A number of unapproved centres have been started by Deemed Universities in various
locations, claiming affiliation under the parent Deemed University. Such centres are not
approved by UGC or the MHRD and are only exploiting the gullible middle class.
Question

Do you think, the AICTE act should provide for some delegation of authority with respect
to technical institutions?

Source: www.thehindubusinessline.com

9.2 Authority

If I have authority over you, I can expect that when I make a decision you will go along with that
decision, even if I don't take the time to explain it to you and persuade you that it is indeed right.
In turn, your acceptance of me as an authority implies that you have already agreed to be
persuaded, implicitly, and won't demand explicit explanations and reasons.
Once I begin to explain my reasoning process and get you to agree that my conclusion was the
proper one, then you have reached your own decision. When you act, it won't be because of me
enforcing my will over you, nor will it have anything to do with the legitimacy of my power.
Instead, it will simply be you exercising your will for your own reasons.

Example: Suppose a manager is the sole authority of an organisation. This manager has
the legitimate power to see that his vision and plans are enforced in the matter desired by him.
His work will be done because his staff have implicitly accepted that the manager does not need
to patiently reason with each one of them in turn in order to get them to independently agree to
the decisions in question.
Why doesn't the manager explain everything? There can be many reasons – perhaps members of
the organisation lack the sophisticated training necessary in order to understand them, or maybe
there just isn't enough time. What's important is that the manager could explain things, but
doesn't – authority means not having to explain everything but being able to wield legitimate
power anyway.

9.2.1 Meaning of Authority

Authority is the right to take action, utilise organisational resources and exact obedience from
subordinates. It has some important features as:
1. Authority enables a position holder to regulate the behaviour of his subordinates in a
legitimate manner.
2. Authority allows the position holder to make and enforce decisions. He can obtain
information, use resources and put people on various tasks and get results through them.

3. Authority gives the right to order and the power to exact obedience.
4. Authority represents the relationship between the senior and the sub ordinate.

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