The assignment of authority or decision-making power or duty of a person who is at a higher level to an individual who is below his level is known as Delegation. It is a requirement of the all the organisation, for its growth and development.
Definition of Decentralization
The transfer of authorities, functions, rights, duties, powers and accountability of the top level management to the middle or low-level management is known as Decentralization. It is nothing but the delegation of authority, in the entire organisation or it can be said that decentralization is an improvement over delegation. When there is decentralization, the considerable authority, responsibility and accountability are vested to the lower levels of the organisational hierarchy.
Differences Between Delegation and Decentralization
The following are the major differences between delegation and decentralization:
- When an authority or responsibility is entrusted to the subordinate by a superior is known as Delegation. Decentralization refers to the final result which is attained when the authority is delegated to the lowest level, in an organised and consistent manner.
- Delegation is the technique of management. On the contrary, decentralisation is the philosophy of management.
- In delegation, only authority and responsibility are transferred but not the accountability. However, in decentralization, all the three are transferred.
- In delegation, there is less liberty of work to the subordinates whereas, in the decentralization, a substantial amount of liberty can be seen.
- Delegation of authority creates superior-subordinate relationship in the organization. conversely, decentralisation is a step towards creation of semi autonomous units.
- A delegation of authority is a must for every organisation, as no person can alone do each and every task. Conversely, Decentralization is discretionary, in the sense that top management may or may not disperse authority.