What Does Authority Mean in Business?
Authority is a formal and legal right to make decisions and give commands. It’s also a concept that has attracted the attention of many different fields of study, from political philosophy to corporate governance.
People tend to obey people in positions of authority, such as government leaders, law-enforcement representatives and doctors. This is because they believe it’s their duty to obey these figures.
Meaning
In the context of business, authority is the formal power to give commands and enforce obedience and action. This is a type of power that flows downward from higher-level managers to lower-level workers. It is a legal and ethical power that must be used for the good of all parties involved.
People who have authority can dictate the rules and make final decisions. This type of power is often based on a society’s laws and traditions, but can also be based on tyranny or usurped power.
In addition to having the power to decide on policy, a person with authority has the duty to follow that policy and execute it. They must be willing to explain the reasoning behind their decisions and answer questions from others. They must also be prepared to accept criticism. This can be challenging, but is necessary for an effective leader. The authority must commensurate with the responsibilities, otherwise it will be abused and not serve its purpose.
Origin
In a business context, authority is the legal right to command subordinates. It is usually accompanied by accountability for performance. Authority can be formal or informal, but it must be granted by a superior and can be revoked under specified conditions. For example, a company manager may lose his authority during department restructuring.
Authority can be derived from a number of sources, including traditional norms sanctified by long-standing convention or personal qualities such as charisma. In addition, it can be derived from rational-legal considerations such as the need to fulfill statutory requirements or functional competence.
The concept of authority is a central one in sociology, history, philosophy and political science. Those who study it often examine how authority is used in small groups (family, clans) or larger organizations such as the state and intermediate groups such as schools, churches and businesses. Most theorists consider that legitimate political authorities impose duties on their subjects and thus give them reasons to act.
Context
The notion of authority is a central theme in many fields of study. It is the foundation of the field of political philosophy, for example. The concept has also been studied by sociologists, who explore the nature of authority in social and organizational settings.
A person can earn authority through formal means, like being granted a position by a superior. They can also gain power through informal ways, such as through a network of nepotism or corruption. Those who hold positions of authority often feel entitled to exercise their power, but they must always remember that the public has the right to question them.
The notion of authority is very complex. Information literacy teachers should use the Authority Is Constructed and Contextual frame when assessing their students’ understanding of the characteristics that express reliable information resources. This will encourage students to verify information and take a critical approach to evaluating sources of knowledge. The frame also emphasizes the importance of considering new perspectives and schools of thought to understand the world around them.
Examples
People with authority are usually in charge, and they can give orders or make decisions. They can also enforce obedience. There are different types of authority, including charismatic authority, traditional authority, and rational-legal authority.
Charismatic authority comes from a person’s personality and demeanor. It’s a powerful influence, but it can be difficult to maintain over time. Often, organizations with charismatic leaders dissolve after the leader leaves because they can’t rely on another person to fill that role.
Traditional authority comes from long-established cultural norms and traditions. This type of authority is often backed up by legal institutions. Rational-legal authority is based on formal agreements and contracts. For example, it’s often understood that if someone says they will be home at a certain time, and then can’t make it, they need to call and let everyone know so that no one gets worried or upset. This type of authority is backed up by the rules of an organization, and it’s also known as bureaucratic authority.
