The direct authority of a superior over his subordinate is known as?
Answer Details
The direct authority of a superior over his subordinate is known as "line authority". In an organizational hierarchy, line authority refers to the chain of command that flows downward from the top level of management to the lowest levels of the organization. This means that every employee in the organization reports to a superior who is responsible for directing their work and ensuring that it is aligned with the organization's goals.
Line authority is important because it helps to establish a clear structure of responsibility and accountability within the organization. It ensures that everyone understands their role and the roles of those above and below them in the organizational hierarchy. This, in turn, helps to improve communication, decision-making, and overall organizational efficiency.
By contrast, staff authority refers to a type of authority that supports and advises those with line authority but does not have direct control over subordinates. Lateral authority refers to authority that is held by individuals who are at the same level in the organizational hierarchy and is used to coordinate efforts and resolve conflicts between different departments or teams. Finally, line and staff authority is a combination of both line and staff authority, where staff members advise line managers on important decisions.