Responsibility:

Responsibility refers to the duty or obligation to perform a particular task or role. It involves being accountable for one's actions and the outcomes of those actions. Responsibility is often assigned to individuals or groups within an organization, and it is a key component of effective teamwork and collaboration.

Authority:

Authority is the power or right to make decisions, give orders, and enforce rules or policies. It is typically granted to individuals or positions within an organization based on their level of expertise, experience, or hierarchical position. Authority enables individuals to take action, delegate tasks, and exercise control over resources or processes.

Accountability:

Accountability is the answerability or liability for the successful completion of tasks or the consequences of actions. It involves the obligation to explain, justify, and take responsibility for one's decisions and actions. Accountability ensures that individuals or groups are held responsible for meeting their objectives and delivering results.

Differences:

1. Focus: Responsibility focuses on the task or role assigned to an individual, while authority focuses on the power and control to make decisions and enforce rules. Accountability, on the other hand, focuses on the answerability for the outcomes of actions.

2. Delegation: Responsibility can be delegated by assigning tasks to others, while authority cannot be delegated as it is inherent to a particular position or individual. Accountability cannot be fully delegated, although individuals or groups can be held accountable for specific tasks or goals.

3. Decision-making: Authority grants individuals the power to make decisions, while responsibility involves carrying out those decisions. Accountability ensures that the decision-maker is answerable for the outcomes of their decisions.

4. Hierarchy: Responsibility can be shared among team members or delegated by a higher authority, while authority is often hierarchical and flows from higher positions to lower positions. Accountability can be present at various levels within an organization and is not solely dependent on hierarchical structures.

5. Outcome: Responsibility is focused on task completion and individual roles, while authority is focused on decision-making and control. Accountability is focused on the outcomes and consequences of actions.

In summary, responsibility is about fulfilling assigned tasks, authority is about decision-making and control, and accountability is about being answerable for outcomes. These three concepts are interconnected and crucial for effective organizational functioning.