Unity of command is the management principle violated by a matrix organization.

Unity of Command
Unity of command is a fundamental principle of management that states that each employee should receive orders and report to only one supervisor. In other words, employees should have a clear line of authority and should know who they are accountable to. This principle ensures that there is no confusion or conflict in terms of reporting relationships and that employees can focus on their tasks without any ambiguity.

Explanation of the Violation
A matrix organization is a type of organizational structure where employees report to both functional managers and project managers. In this structure, employees have dual reporting relationships and are accountable to multiple supervisors. This violates the principle of unity of command as employees are receiving orders and instructions from multiple sources.

In a matrix organization, employees have a functional manager who is responsible for their functional area (such as marketing, finance, or operations) and a project manager who is responsible for a specific project or task. This dual reporting relationship can create confusion and conflicts in terms of priorities, decision-making, and accountability.

Consequences of Violation
When the principle of unity of command is violated, it can lead to several negative consequences:

1. Conflicting Priorities: Employees may receive conflicting instructions from their functional manager and project manager, leading to confusion and difficulty in prioritizing tasks.

2. Role Ambiguity: Employees may not have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, as they have to navigate between multiple supervisors and projects.

3. Lack of Accountability: With multiple supervisors, it becomes difficult to determine who is responsible for the success or failure of a task or project, leading to a lack of accountability.

4. Communication Issues: The dual reporting relationships can create communication gaps and hinder effective communication within the organization.

5. Decision-making Challenges: In a matrix organization, decision-making can become complex and time-consuming due to the involvement of multiple managers.

Conclusion
Unity of command is an important management principle that ensures clear reporting relationships and accountability. Violating this principle, as in the case of a matrix organization, can lead to various challenges and negative consequences. Therefore, organizations must carefully consider the structure they adopt and ensure that there is a clear line of authority and reporting for employees.