THE IMPACT OF DELEGATION ON MANAGEMENT DECISION MAKING

(A CASE STUDY OF ZENITH BANK PLC ENUGU)

ABSTRACT

The attention of the study is directed to the impact of delegation on management decision making. Every organization whether big or small must taken decision. The decision may be on any of the following levels of management;

(a)              Top level management

(b)             Middle level management

(c)              Lower level management

Decision-making is defined as the selection from among alternative of a course of action. It is regarded as the center of planning and represents a course of behaviour of what must or what must not be done. It is the point at which plans, policies and objectives are translated into concrete actions.

The purpose of decision-making is to direct human behaviour toward a future goal. A plan cannot be said to exist unless there is a decision. Decision-making involves a lot of processes and requires careful attention. Top management in trying to cover all aspect of the organization, including decision making, has to delegate certain duties and responsibility which must be accomplished, with adequate authority, so that those assigned these duties should be fully responsible for what they do looking at the impact of delegation on management decision-making, its effect on the general performance of an organization cannot be overlooked. A manger should ensure that he delegates has authorities to a well-trained subordinate with equal responsibility so that he (Manager) will not be held accountable for the results.

If a manager clearly delegate authority to a well-trained subordinate to undertake a well-defined task, the task will be done with a minimum of supervision time and attention. But whenever the subordinate is not capable and adequate authority is not given, the task will not be performed properly. The supervisor will then have to spend a disproportional amount and time supervising and guiding the subordinate effort.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement        

Abstract     

Table of content  

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction        

1.1            Statement of problem

1.2            Purpose of the study

1.3            Scope of the study

1.4            Limitation of the study

1.5            Statement of hypothesis

1.6            Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO

2.0            Literature Review

2.1            Historical background

2.2            Nature of delegation

2.3            Principles of delegation

2.4            Factors in determining the degree of decentralization of authority

2.5            Reasons for refusal to delegate

2.6            Benefits of delegation

CHAPTER THREE

3.1            Design of the study and methodology

3.2            Population of the study

3.3            Sample size and sampling techniques

3.4            Instruments for data collection

3.5            Data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1            Date analysis and interpretation

4.2            Test of hypothesis

4.3            Decision rule

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1     Summary of findings

5.2     Conclusion 

5.3     Recommendation

5.4     References

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The concept of delegation of authority as it happens in industries, service and business organizations has attracted many psychologists and educations. These great people have carried out series of research on it with each of them coming up with a theory as it affects decision-making in organizations. Yet no one theory of delegation can alone satisfactorily explain the concepts. This is because of the complexity in human behaviour.  

Delegation means entrusting to or deputation or representing. To delegate authority, a manger entrusts his authority to others to perform. It is an important tool of management. Management is defined as social process entailing responsibility for an effective planning and regulations of operation of an organization in fulfillment of a given purpose or task. It can also be defined as the act and science of achieving the objectives of a business as organization in the most efficient way.

However, all organization, be it small or large have to take decision. The purpose of decision-making, as earlier said, is to direct human behaviour towards a future goal. Decision-making is the selection from among alternation courses of action, and if there were no alteration, there should be need for a decision. In making any plan, there must be a  decision to take: therefore, it can be said that planning leads to decision guided by organization policy and objectives.