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In a summary distinction, "responsibility" focuses for the most part upon all of the elements of duty up to the point of decision, and "accountability" focuses for the most part upon all of the elements of duty after the decision is made.\ I prefer this:

Responsibility is about ownership of an endeavor, e.g., a project, a problem, an assignment.

Accountability is being held to the consequences of the outcome of the effort, i.e., to the outcome of the project, the solution of the problem, or the fulfillment of the assignment. Yes this is true but the AUTHORITY was left out. What we are talking about here are the roles of what is known in the business world as RACI matrix charting. RACI stands for R= Responsible, A = Authority, C = Collaborate and I = Inform. I know, I know so many will tell you that the A means Accountability but that is not true it has been totally misunderstood by many. In the charting process WHO performs a task or duty is deemed the "R" person(s) or those RESPONSIBLE. There can be 1, 2, 3 or more BUT Caution, having too many can result in NO one knowing "who is doing WHAT". The "A" or Authority is the person who is "In charge" or Authorized to see that the process and its defined duties are in fact carried out. There can be but ONE (1) person of Authority. ONE President, One GOD, one Boss (not, too many chiefs and too few Indians) The "C" or Collaborative people involved are ones who are stakeholders and need to be CONFERRED with prior to the tasks being performed. I suppose Collaborative or Conferred could be Synonymous. Lastly the "I" or Informed persons are those who are given information, data or results of the duties and tasks after or possibly during completion. BUT there is one other point to which we must identify and assign, and that is the ACCOUNTABILITY of people in the process. You see ALL involved are Accountable for their individual assignments no matter what they might be; Responsbile, Authoritative, Collaborative or Informed, ALL are Accountable in order for the process to be done as designed. Think of it this way, I am Responsible for how I drive. A policeman is the Authority of the LAW as designated to him to updhold. But both of us are ACCOUNTABLE for our duty, mine obeying the law and the officers for Upholding it. Please do not confuse the Accountability, Authority and Responsibility of any process like so many others have. It only leads to greater confusion and less improvement to whatever we do together.

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Q: Differentiate responsibility authority and accountability
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How can delegation of authority contribute to effective strategic management?

Delegation of AuthorityA manager alone cannot perform all the tasks assigned to him. In order to meet the targets, the manager should delegate authority. Delegation of Authority means division of authority and powers downwards to the subordinate. Delegation is about entrusting someone else to do parts of your job. Delegation of authority can be defined as subdivision and sub-allocation of powers to the subordinates in order to achieve effective results.Elements of DelegationAuthority - in context of a business organization, authority can be defined as the power and right of a person to use and allocate the resources efficiently, to take decisions and to give orders so as to achieve the organizational objectives. Authority must be well- defined. All people who have the authority should know what is the scope of their authority is and they shouldn't misutilize it. Authority is the right to give commands, orders and get the things done. The top level management has greatest authority. 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If the above standards are not accomplished, it is the marketing manager who will be accountable to the chief executive officer. Therefore, we can say that authority flows from top to bottom and responsibility flows from bottom to top. Accountability is a result of responsibility and responsibility is result of authority. Therefore, for every authority an equal accountability is attached.Differences between Authority and ResponsibilityAuthorityResponsibilityIt is the legal right of a person or a superior to command his subordinates.It is the obligation of subordinate to perform the work assigned to him.Authority is attached to the position of a superior in concern.Responsibility arises out of superior-subordinate relationship in which subordinate agrees to carry out duty given to him.Authority can be delegated by a superior to a subordinateResponsibility cannot be shifted and is absoluteIt flows from top to bottom.It flows from bottom to top.


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