What are Fayol’s fourteen principles of management?

Henri Fayol, a French mining engineer and management theorist, developed fourteen principles of management that he believed could be applied to any organizational setting. His ideas have since formed the basis of modern management studies. Here are Fayol’s fourteen Principles of Management:

1. Division of Work: Specialization allows workers to become experts in their tasks, leading to improved efficiency and output.

2. Authority and Responsibility: Managers must have the authority to give orders, but they must also bear responsibility for their actions and decisions.

3. Discipline: Discipline is necessary for the smooth running of any organization. This requires good leadership at all levels, clear and fair agreements, and judicious application of penalties for violations.

4. Unity of Command: Each worker should have only one boss with no other conflicting lines of command.

5. Unity of Direction: Teams with the same objective should operate under a single plan and be under the direction of just one manager.

6. Subordination of Individual Interests to the General Interest: The interest of the company should come before the interests of individuals.

7. Remuneration: Compensation for work done should be fair to both employees and the organization. It can be monetary and non-monetary.

8. Centralization: The amount of decision-making power vested in central management (or decentralized to other levels in the organization) should be appropriate to the organization’s specific circumstances.

9. Scalar Chain: There should be a clear and unbroken line of authority from the top to the bottom of the organization, represented typically as a hierarchy or chain of command.

10. Order: Everything should be in its place. This principle refers to both material order (resources and infrastructure) and social order (the right person in the right place).

11. Equity: Managers should be fair and just, treating employees with kindness and justice.

12. Stability of Tenure of Personnel: Employee turnover should be minimized to maintain operational efficiency. Long-term employment is beneficial for the organization and its employees.

13. Initiative: Employees who are allowed to originate and carry out plans will exert high levels of effort and enthusiasm.

14. Esprit de Corps: Promoting team spirit will build harmony and unity within the organization.

Fayol’s principles, although developed in the early 20th century, are still referenced and utilized in modern management theories and practices. However, they are often adapted to fit contemporary organizational structures and cultures.