Exploring the Order Principle of Management in More Detail
Henri Fayol’s order principle of management can become quite complex in an organisational context. As the name suggests, the Order Principle emphasizes the creation of a structured and organized environment. The tasks should be clearly defined, resources are effectively managed, and activities are planned accordingly to achieve the desired performance. This blog attempts to help you understand the concept with examples.
The order principle of management is one of the most important tenets of Fayolism. Henri Fayol believes that this principle creates work uniformity, leading to process efficiency. Tis blog emphasises the order principle of management with what it is not, its types, and its importance with examples that you will relate to.
What is the Order Principle of Management?
The order principle of management is the 10th tenet in the 14 principles of management. In Henri Fayol’s words, order is approached the following way –
“People and materials must be in suitable places at the appropriate time for maximum efficiency”.
Order in the 14 principles of management is not to be confused with commanding subordinates to achieve tasks. Fayol specifies this aspect in another principle, the Unity of Command principle, which states there should be one supervisor for a team or group (broadly falling under the concept of span of management).
Order can be better understood as a controlling function. It means that whatever material or process there is, in a formal organisation, should have a specified place. If there is any deviation, the managerial division must control it, i.e., bring it back to order.
When there is order, there are no obstacles in completing tasks. This means, the employee will not have issues with productivity.
Best-suited Business & Management Studies courses for you
Learn Business & Management Studies with these high-rated online courses
Types of Orders with Examples
According to Fayol, there are two types of orders.
Material Order
Material order refers to the physical resources available in an organisation. This means that there should be a predetermined or fixed space for materials, and they should not be displaced.
In manufacturing or similar industries, the material order plays a significant role in day-to-day operations. The equipment must have a proper area to function.
There are also many other parallel streams of thought associated with material order. For instance, a warehouse should be close to the distributor/customer and the manufacturing unit. Even the warehouse needs dedicated areas for operations to function efficiently. Just skim through warehouse management for that.
You can even equate the material order to an office setting. The arrangement of workspaces as transparent partitions for employees and seniors is highly adopted in many modern organisations today, mostly because they comply with the material order.
Social Order
Social order refers to having the right person for the right task. This means that there must be a clearly defined role for a specific task.
The social order, in fact, describes how the three levels of management work in an organisation.
Social order also refers to the necessary creation of a hierarchy in an organisation, where authority goes down from top to bottom, and responsibility and accountability become higher as one moves up from bottom to top.
Having a social order in an organisation also means that the human resources department is largely responsible for hiring the right talents who can work in a team. If they leave, the HR department must replace them with an equally capable employee to avoid any disruption in the social order.
Because of this social order, organisations can successfully thrive in a constantly changing and uncertain business environment.
Importance of the Order Principle of Management
Order is necessary for creating efficiency in every process. An employee who is hired for a particular role should be asked to complete tasks associated with their role only. If one is given to do tasks outside their role, there will a wastage of resources and time.
With the right order in place, the company will not have to waste resources. Think about it this way, if there is no defined structure, it would be hard for both the organisation and the employee.
There can be chances where the employee feels they are not paid equally for the additional tasks they have to do when there is no appropriate personnel. Such a haphazard structure shows there are no proper administrative policies in place, nor will there be any sense of belongingness for the employee. Eventually they will leave the job, which will cost the organisation more to find a newer employee.
Summing it all, to create efficiency, improve productivity and remove delays, the order is necessary.
Parting Thoughts
This was all about the order principle of management as described by Henri Fayol in his administrative management theory, aka 14 principles of management. While there are many debates about using all his principles in the modern context, almost all of them are applicable to running an organisation today.
FAQs - Order Principle of Management
How does the Order Principle impact employee performance?
The Order Principle provides employees with clear expectations, well-defined roles, and standardized procedures, which can enhance their efficiency, job satisfaction, and overall performance. It also facilitates better coordination and collaboration among team members.
What are the challenges associated with implementing the Order Principle?
Challenges associated with implementing the Order Principle may include resistance to change, difficulty in balancing standardization with flexibility, and the need for ongoing monitoring and adjustment to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness.
What role does technology play in supporting the Order Principle?
Technology can automate routine tasks, streamline processes, facilitate communication and collaboration, and provide real-time data for decision-making, all of which contribute to the effective implementation of the Order Principle.
How can organizations measure the effectiveness of their adherence to the Order Principle?
Metrics such as productivity, resource utilization, quality, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement can be used to assess the impact of the Order Principle on organizational performance.
What are some best practices for implementing the Order Principle in an organization?
Some of the best practices for implementing the Order Principle in an organization include clearly defining organizational roles and responsibilities, establishing efficient workflows and processes, providing adequate training and support for employees, promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, and regularly reviewing and adjusting organizational structures and procedures as needed.
Aquib is a seasoned wordsmith, having penned countless blogs for Indian and international brands. These days, he's all about digital marketing and core management subjects - not to mention his unwavering commitment ... Read Full Bio
Top Picks & New Arrivals
