Question

Hitesh started a garment manufacturing company recently. However, he soon began facing several problems like targets not met, conflicts among managers, high labour turnover, etc. He hired a management consultant to find out what was going wrong. The consultant conducted investigations and gave the following observations:

1. In Production Department, workers were receiving instructions from both, the Production Manager and the Marketing Manager. As a result, there was a lot of confusion regarding tasks to be done.
2. Promotions were given only to women employees. Other employees did not get equal opportunities in the company to rise.

Identify and explain the two principles of management given by Fayol which are not being followed in Hitesh’s company.

Answer 1

1. Unity of Command: Fayol’s principle that each subordinate should receive orders from and be accountable to only one superior. Violation, production workers were taking instructions from both the Production Manager and the Marketing Manager, causing confusion, dual authority and loss of discipline/efficiency.
2. Equity: Fayol’s principle that managers must treat employees fairly and without discrimination, giving everyone equal opportunity. Violations, promotions were awarded only to women, denying other employees equal treatment and opportunity, resulting in resentment and lower morale.