14 Principles of Management (Fayol)

14 Principles of Management by Henri Fayol - ToolsHero

Introduction 14 principles of Management

In the last century, organizations already had to deal with management in practice. In the early 1900s,
large organizations, such as production factories, had to be managed too. At the time there were only
few (external) management tools, models and methods available.

Thanks to scientists like Henri Fayol (1841-1925) the first foundations were laid for modern scientific
management. These first concepts, also called principles of management are the underlying factors for
successful management. Henri Fayol explored this comprehensively and, as a result, he synthesized the
14 principles of management. Henri Fayol ‘s principles of management and research were published in
the book ‘General and Industrial Management’ (1916).

14 Principles of Management of Henri Fayol

14 principles of Management are statements that are based on a fundamental truth. These principles of
management serve as a guideline for decision-making and management actions. They are drawn up by
means of observations and analyses of events that managers encounter in practice. Henri Fayol was able
to synthesize 14 principles of management after years of study.

14 principles of management by Henri Fayol - ToolsHero

1. Division of Work

In practice, employees are specialized in different areas and they have different skills. Different levels of
expertise can be distinguished within the knowledge areas (from generalist to specialist). Personal and
professional developments support this. According to Henri Fayol specialization promotes efficiency of
the workforce and increases productivity. In addition, the specialization of the workforce increases their
accuracy and speed. This management principle of the 14 principles of management is applicable to
both technical and managerial activities.

2. Authority and Responsibility

In order to get things done in an organization, management has the authority to give orders to the
employees. Of course with this authority comes responsibility. According to Henri Fayol, the
accompanying power or authority gives the management the right to give orders to the subordinates.
The responsibility can be traced back from performance and it is therefore necessary to make
agreements about this. In other words, authority and responsibility go together and they are two sides
of the same coin.

3. Discipline

This third principle of the 14 principles of management is about obedience. It is often a part of the core
values of a mission and vision in the form of good conduct and respectful interactions. This management
principle is essential and is seen as the oil to make the engine of an organization run smoothly.

4. Unity of Command

The management principle ‘Unity of command’ means that an individual employee should receive
orders from one manager and that the employee is answerable to that manager. If tasks and related
responsibilities are given to the employee by more than one manager, this may lead to confusion which
may lead to possible conflicts for employees. By using this principle, the responsibility for mistakes can
be established more easily.

5. Unity of Direction

This management principle of the 14 principles of management is all about focus and unity. All
employees deliver the same activities that can be linked to the same objectives. All activities must be
carried out by one group that forms a team. These activities must be described in a plan of action. The
manager is ultimately responsible for this plan and he monitors the progress of the defined and planned
activities. Focus areas are the efforts made by the employees and coordination.

6. Subordination of Individual Interest

There are always all kinds of interests in an organization. In order to have an organization function well,
Henri Fayol indicated that personal interests are subordinate to the interests of the organization
(ethics). The primary focus is on the organizational objectives and not on those of the individual. This
applies to all levels of the entire organization, including the managers.

7. Remuneration

Motivation and productivity are close to one another as far as the smooth running of an organization is
concerned. This management principle of the 14 principles of management argues that the
remuneration should be sufficient to keep employees motivated and productive. There are two types of
remuneration namely non-monetary (a compliment, more responsibilities, credits) and monetary
(compensation, bonus or other financial compensation). Ultimately, it is about rewarding the efforts
that have been made.

8. The Degree of Centralization

Management and authority for decision-making process must be properly balanced in an organization.
This depends on the volume and size of an organization including its hierarchy.

Centralization implies the concentration of decision making authority at the top management (executive
board). Sharing of authorities for the decision-making process with lower levels (middle and lower
management), is referred to as decentralization by Henri Fayol. Henri Fayol indicated that an
organization should strive for a good balance in this.

9. Scalar Chain

Hierarchy presents itself in any given organization. This varies from senior management (executive
board) to the lowest levels in the organization. Henri Fayol ’s “hierarchy” management principle states
that there should be a clear line in the area of authority (from top to bottom and all managers at all
levels). This can be seen as a type of management structure. Each employee can contact a manager or a
superior in an emergency situation without challenging the hierarchy. Especially, when it concerns
reports about calamities to the immediate managers/superiors.

10. Order

According to this principle of the 14 principles of management, employees in an organization must have
the right resources at their disposal so that they can function properly in an organization. In addition to
social order (responsibility of the managers) the work environment must be safe, clean and tidy.

11. Equity

The management principle of equity often occurs in the core values of an organization. According to
Henri Fayol, employees must be treated kindly and equally. Employees must be in the right place in the
organization to do things right. Managers should supervise and monitor this process and they should
treat employees fairly and impartially.

12. Stability of Tenure of Personnel

This management principle of the 14 principles of management represents deployment and managing of
personnel and this should be in balance with the service that is provided from the organization.
Management strives to minimize employee turnover and to have the right staff in the right place. Focus
areas such as frequent change of position and sufficient development must be managed well.

13. Initiative

Henri Fayol argued that with this management principle employees should be allowed to express new
ideas. This encourages interest and involvement and creates added value for the company. Employee
initiatives are a source of strength for the organization according to Henri Fayol. This encourages the
employees to be involved and interested.

14. Esprit de Corps

The management principle ‘esprit de corps’ of the 14 principles of management stands for striving for
the involvement and unity of the employees. Managers are responsible for the development of morale
in the workplace; individually and in the area of communication. Esprit de corps contributes to the
development of the culture and creates an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding.

In conclusion on the 14 Principles of management

The 14 principles of management can be used to manage organizations and are useful tools for
forecasting, planning, process management, organization management, decision-making, coordination
and control.

It’s Your Turn

What do you think?
1. What are the (14) principles of management of today’s management?
2. Do these management principles work in every organization or are there
exceptions? And if so, what are the exceptions and what can we learn
from them?
3. Create a scenario in which you can apply the 14 principles of
management?
4. Base on the given scenario how can you be a better manager?
Top 6 Principles of Educational Administration
Brief outlines of the six principles of educational administration are discussed in this article. The principles
are: (1) Structural Democracy, (2) Operational Democracy (3) Justice (4) Equality of Opportunity (5)
Prudence (6) Adaptability, Flexibility and Stability.

1. Structural Democracy:

Being the first principle of educational administration in the modern era it puts stress on democracy in
structural perspective. It implies “the exercise of control” in democracy. The meaning of exercise of
control in this light should be such that, it helps the students as future citizens in fulfilling their needs and
requirements tending to their self-realization, safeguard the democratic government and welfare of
people at local, state and national levels.

This exercise of control refers to the meaning of democracy by treating each human being as, “a
living, growing and potentially flowering organism.” Hence in this principle of educational administration
the educational administration has to practise the principles of democracy both in structural and
functional form.

In this regard and educational administrator will be a fittest one who can manage autocracy as
and when necessary to achieve the goals of an educational programme. For actualizing it he has to
perform his duty as democratically as possible.

2. Operational Democracy:

This principle of educational administration gives priority on the practical aspect of democracy as a way
of life and form of governance. To this, the essence of democracy is to give importance on the dignity of
every individual and assisting him to understand his self in this context this principle considers democracy
as a matter of spirit, way of life and a mode of behaviour. Keeping this in view it is the task and
responsibility of an educational administrator to focus on day to day happenings in relation to democratic
society in educational perspective that are relevant in wider extent.

Because this sort of democracy seeks to make democracy more practical rather than formal. For
example a school or an educational institution is regarded as the society in miniature or a small society. It
means the entire picture of the society has been reflected in the school. The same situation lies in case of
a democratic society like ours where people expect the school or an educational institution will do a lot
for actualizing democracy as a matter of spirit, way of life and a mode of behaviour practically.

In this light, it should be the function of the educational administrator to achieve it for which he
may take the view of the students, consult with the staffs, specialists, expects and community members
before taking any decision. This result in the emergence of a good and effective social order by the school
or educational institution as an agency of education. Overall speaking this type of democracy as a principle
of educational administration gives importance on practicability and relevance of day to day happenings
of democracy in relation to educational perspective so far its administrative aspect is concerned.
3. Justice:

Generally speaking justice refers to provide every individual his due in the society by honoring his
individuality. This meaning of justice is the essence of democracy. As justice is one of the basic hallmarks
of democratic administration, it is regarded as an essential principle of educational administrating which
is democratic in form and practice. For practicing justice in educational administration there is the need
and essentiality of giving due reward and share to every individual to his efforts and achievements.

Besides, every individual is to be given task or assignment in accordance with his needs,
requirements, abilities, aptitudes etc. Hence the educational administrators for practicing justice as one
of the principles of educational administration must be judicious while dealing with employees, students
and public. But in Practice it is not happening as the educational administrators very often arbitrarily
exercise discretionary powers and too narrowly apply uniform rules in one point.

And uniformity of rules in educational administration does not provide equality which is necessary
to safeguard the individuals in another point. This nature of the educational administrator goes against
the very essence of justice as it is to be free from such bias nature of them. Hence the educational
administrators have to reduce this tendency to minimum for making justice beneficial, healthy and
impartial in nature and approach as a principle of modern educational administration.

4. Equality of Opportunity:

One of the important social objective of education is to equalize opportunity or facility for enabling the
backward or under privileged classes and individuals to use education as a means for improvement of
their condition.

In order to keep equality of opportunity in concrete shape in the field of education, educational
administration plays a vital role. For this greater emphasis should be given on equality of educational
opportunity for the shake of accelerating the process for building up of on egalitarian human society in
which the age old social exploitation will be reduced to minimum.

The principle of uniformity is not to be practiced and maintained in the field of educational
administration as equality does not refer to uniformity. The cause is that opportunity means to provide
adequate facility or scope to every individual for his development. In this context, the reasons for
existence of inequalities of educational opportunities cited by the Education Commission (1964-66) can
be highlighted which must be stressed in the field of educational administration.

These are:

(а) In equal distribution of educational institutions through out the country.

(b) Poverty of a large Section of the population and relative affluence of a small minority.

(c) Disparity between the education of boys and girls at all stages and in all sectors of education.

(d) Disparity of educational development between the advanced classes and the backward classes.
Every society that values social justice and anxious to improve a lot of common man and cultivate all
available talents, must ensure progressive equality of educational opportunity to all sections of the
population. In this context it should be the task of educational administration to make special efforts for
equalizing educational opportunities by reducing the above cited problems of it. As a result, equality of
opportunity in educational process will be practiced by educational administration as one of its principles.

5. Prudence:

Overall speaking prudence refers to thinking or planning or showing thought for future. Being contextual
in approach it can be said that the futuristic outlook, vision and forward looking must be incorporated it
the field of administration. Like general administration educational administration has to practice the
exercise of foresight skill and vision with respect to matters concerning practical living and utility of the
system of administration in future by the educational administrator.

This principle “Prudence” is closely related to intelligent economy which implies quality control.
In order to ensure quality control in the field of education, educational administration has to make
expenditure on education by accepting it as an investment on human resource. Because without
necessary expenditure on education there will be no question of quality in it and then what about the
matter of quality control?

It is evident from several studies that now in educational administration there lies a lot of wasteful
expenditure for which the system of check and balance is essential. The system of check and balance is
prudential in nature which seeks to protect an educational institution or organisation, an enterprise from
mis-behaviours and mis-appropriation by an official or authority as misuse of power and funds that
creates mischief.

It is known to one and all that misuse of power and money leads to the loss of public in general.
Hence like general administration in educational administration there is the necessity of the system of
“check and balance” to prevent such misuse. This will be done if educational administration accepts it as
its principle in real situation.

Those who are good sociable, democratic competent and welfare oriented educational
administrators liberty is granted for them. Liberty is granted to them with not making the system of “check
and balance” rigid. Because it is essential to give freedom to the competent and delicate persons as
educational administrators who are in the interest of good administration.

They give a differential treatment to different students, staffs, officials and community members
as per their need remaining within the jurisdiction of educational administration. Besides an educational
administrator in order to prudential in nature and work must have simplicity, understanding capacity
democratic spirit and effective communication ability with him as attributes.

6. Adaptability, Flexibility and Stability:

An institution must be able to adjust with changing situations by fulfilling the developing needs and by
improving its day-to-day dealings with persons or agencies involved. This characteristic of an institution is
called adaptability. In the process of achieving its educational objectives, it has to deal differently with
different human beings like teachers, parents and the public at large, who are affected in one way or other
by the process or its products. This tendency is called flexibility.

The educational institution however must be able to achieve adaptability without creating any
dislocation or disruption in its process and achievements. This property is named as stability. An institution
must have these three characteristics in order to be able to achieve its objectives adequately and to give
due regard to all persons concerned in some way or other.

These three characteristics are dynamic, adaptability and flexibility are especially so. Stability,
however, is called as prudential check on the change which retains good in the old and gives up bad in the
new. Hence, careful evaluation of the old as well as the new is an essential feature of stability.

Adaptability is concerned with acts of change and flexibility to a great extent to counteract with
uniformity and stability is mainly the counterweight to adaptability. Thus on the whole, adaptability is the
capacity of an enterprise to change, to develop and to improve. Flexibility is the capacity of an institution
to react in variance with persons and situations affected and to warn against the dangers of uniformity.

Stability on the other hand is the capacity of an organisation to safeguard the merits of the old
while it is in the process of change. Hence, all these three qualities of adaptability, flexibility and stability
are complementary to each other.

It’s Your turn!

1. Choose at least 3 principles which you think best describes your
administration style?
2. Create a situation or a scenario where you can apply your three chosen
principles?
3. Base on your given scenario how can you best described your
administration style?
Principle of Educational Management and Leadership.

A. Discuss the following principles:

1. Moral and ethical leadership
2. Distributed leadership
3. Developing leaders
4. Leadership for learning
5. Building and leading learning cultures
6. Managing human and financial resources
7. Leadership for diversity
8. Leadership, partnerships and community
9. Professionalism and professional development
B. What are the consideration in managing human and financial resources?
C. How can moral and ethical leadership affects your leadership style,
partnership and community engagement?
D. What are your insights on professionalism and professional development?
E. How can you support your subordinate in their professional growth?
F. Create a professional development plan for your subordinate?

Note:
Submit your answers on March 18, 2019.
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Study and we will have our final exam on March 18, 2019.
Coverage: 14 Principles of Management (Fayol), Top 6 Principles of Educational Administration, Principle
of Educational Management and Leadership.