The followings are some of the important principles of delegation of authority:
(a) Authority should commensurate with
responsibility- It is not correct to say that authority should be equal to
responsibility. Authority is the power to carryout an assignment and
responsibility is the obligation to accomplish them. It is logical to say that
authority needed to do a job should correspond to the responsibility. Though
equalisation of authority and responsibility is not possible, authority should
be co-extensive or commensurate with responsibility.
(b) Responsibility cannot be delegated— When
authority is delegated to a subordinate by an executive, the executive does not
pass on the responsibility for it. He is still accountable for it to his
immediate superior. As the responsibility to the superior is absolute, it is
also termed as the principles of absolute responsibility.