Decentralisation is extending delegation to the lowest level. Comment.

Both decentralisation and delegation relate to downward delegation of authority and responsibility. Under delegation, the authority is shared by the superior to the immediate subordinate. On the other hand, under decentralisation this concept is extended and the authority is distributed at not just one but multiple levels. That is, while delegation involves just two persons, i.e. the superior and subordinate, decentralisation is a wider concept of the same (delegation) where the power gets transferred to numerous levels. For example, suppose the director of an organisation delegates the responsibility of completing a task, hiring the required workers and supervising them to a project head. The project head in turn shares his responsibility of hiring and supervising the workers with the project lead. The project lead further delegates the responsibility of supervising the workers to the team lead. Thus, delegation at each level from the director, to project head, project lead and further to the team lead results in decentralisation. Hence, it can be said that delegation at each level leads to decentralisation and decentralisation is extending delegation to the lowest level.

Decentralisation is extending delegation to the lowest level. Decentralisation explains the manner in which decision making responsibilities are divided among hierarchical levels. Decentralisation refers to delegation of authority throughout all the levels of the organisation. Decision making authority is shared with lower levels and is consequently placed nearest to the point of action. In other words, decision making authority is pushed down the chain of command. Delegation is the process and decentralisation is the end result, e.g., If the director give the responsibility to production head to complete the target of 20,000 units and authorise him to hire the workers, production head further shares his responsibility with manager to select the worker. Manager shares his responsibility with supervisors, who are dealing with workers, authorise him to select workers. Here, the responsibility distributed at every level. That’s why we say systematic delegation leads to decentralisation.

Decentralisation is extending delegation to the lowest level Decentralisation explains the manner in which decision making responsibilities are divided among hierarchical levels. Decentralisation refers to delegation of authority through all the levels of the organisation.

Decision making authority is shared with lower levels and is consequently placed nearest to the point of action. In other words, decision making authority is pushed down the chain of command. Delegation is the process and decentralisation is the end result, e.g., If the director give the responsibility to production head to complete the target of 20,000 units and authorise him to hire the workers, production head further shares his responsibility with manager to select the worker.

Manager shares his responsibility with supervisors, who are dealing with workers, authorise them to select workers. Here, the responsibility gets distributed at every level. 

That’s why we say systematic delegation leads to decentralisation.