1. • Hierarchy is one of the important principles of an organisation.
• The hierarchy integrates the various units of an organisation, which are divided
on the basis of specialisation, through an interlocking system of superior and
subordinate relationship from top to bottom.
the term 'hierarchy means the rule or control of the higher over the lower’.
In administration, hierarchy means a graded organisation of several successive
steps or levels which are interlinked with each other.
various individuals in an organisation are integrated with each other.
In every large-scale organisation, there is a few who command and there are
others who are commanded.
This leads to the creation of superior-subordinate relationship through a number
of levels of responsibility reaching from the topdown the bottom of an
organisation.
various organisations have different hierarchy in different ways
2. Hierarchy consists of the universal application of the superior-subordinate
relationship through a number of levels of responsibility reaching from the top
to the bottom of the structure.
hierarchy means control of the 'higher over the lower.
In administration, hierarchy means a graded organisation of several successive
steps or levels.
Hierarchy means the grouping of units into a large unit for direction and control
of activities.
It is the method whereby the efforts of various individuals are geared together to
achieve a goal through a system of inter-locking superior- subordinate
relationship from top to bottom.
Every organisation has a purpose. In order to achieve that purpose, it divides its
jobs into various functions or units. These units are further divided into sub-
units until one reaches the base.
3. • There are several levels of authority and responsibility.
• Every employee has to obey the orders of his superior and issue orders to his
subordinates. Thus, hierarchy becomes a means of communication and a chain
of command among various levels of authority.
• It is difficult to think of an organisation without hierarchy. Organisation is
essentially the division of functions among a given number of persons. The
distribution of functions and responsibilities is both horizontal and vertical. An
organisation structure grows both vertically and horizontally.
• The entire administrative function is divided into many sub-units.
• These units are organised in the form of a pyramid one below the other
• Authority is distributed to various levels.
4. • Hierarchical organisation observes the principle of 'through proper channel'.
• All commands and communications should come through proper channel. No
intermediate level can be ignored.
• A person receives orders only from one superior officer and not from anybody
else. This means the principle of unify of command is observed.
• Authority and responsibility are adequately combined. Authority without
responsibility is dangerous, while responsibility without authority is meaning
• ADVANTAGES
• every scale organisations should have a unity of purpose, which can be achieved
only through hierarchical system.
• Hierarchy integrates various units of an organisation into an unified whole. As
observed by M.P. Sharma, "It is an instrument of organisational integration and
coherence.
5. • It serves as a channel of communication, both upwards and downwards in an
organisation. It makes clear to every official as to with whom he is to deal with.
• It enables us to fix responsibility at each level and at each post in the organisation.
Every employee knows what his position and responsibility are in the organisation
and to whom he is accountable.
• The scale of 'throgh proper channel' created by the, principle of hierarchy ensures
strict adherence to procedure and avoids short-circuiting or ignoring of the
intermediate links.
• Hierarchy lessens, the burden of work at the highest level and decentralises
decision- making. It establishes a number of subordinate levels below the top
executive. Each subordinate level acts as a centre of decision for specified matters
delegated to it. Every employee of the organisation is trained to take decisions and
guide his subordinates. A t the same time, it relieves the chief executive from the
burden of work and promotes a sense of belonging among the subordinates.
• It simplifies the procedure of movement of files because of strict adherence to the
rule of’ through proper channel ‘and makes it easy to know where a particular file.
6. • Disadvantages
• In the hierarchical system, directions flow from above to down below. Those
down below are expected to carry out mechanically the instructions of their
superiors without any initiative and drive.
• It brings about rigidity in administrative organisation and is not proper for the
development of dynamic human relationships among its members.
• The success or failure of this system very much depends on the personal likings
of the head of the organisation. If he can bring life and personal touch in the
organisation, it is bound to be a success. Otherwise, it is bound to be a failure.
• Strict adherence to procedure and avoids short-circuiting or ignoring of the
intermediate links.
• The most serious disadvantage of the hierarchical organisation is that it causes
inordinate delay in the disposal of work.
