Question

Consider the following statements about Gulick's POSDCORB and principles of organization:

1. POSDCORB delineates seven administrative functions: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting.

2. The 4P-Formula for departmental bases includes purpose, process, persons, and place, promoting specialized departmentalization.

3. Gulick viewed coordination through hierarchy as secondary to deliberate coordination via committees and decentralization.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3
• D. 1 and 3 only

Answer 1

Answer:

A. 1 and 2 only

Gulick's POSDCORB and Principles of Organization

• POSDCORB Framework: Luther Gulick, in his influential 1937 report 'Papers on the Science of Administration' co-authored with Lyndall Urwick, introduced the acronym POSDCORB. This framework outlines seven key administrative functions crucial for effective management. These functions are:
  • Planning: Defining objectives and strategizing to achieve them.
  • Organizing: Establishing the structure for carrying out plans.
  • Staffing: Recruiting, training, and managing personnel.
  • Directing: Leading and supervising subordinates.
  • Coordinating: Integrating the activities of different units.
  • Reporting: Keeping informed through records, research, and inspection.
  • Budgeting: Fiscal planning, accounting, and control.
  This model is a foundational concept in public administration and management theory, often tested in competitive exams.
• The 4P-Formula (Bases of Departmentalization): Gulick also proposed the '4P-Formula' as a basis for organizing government agencies and departments. This formula suggests four primary grounds for grouping activities:
  • Purpose: Organizing around a common aim or service (e.g., Public Health Department).
  • Process: Organizing based on the method or skill employed (e.g., Engineering Department).
  • Persons: Organizing around the clientele served (e.g., Children's Welfare Bureau).
  • Place: Organizing based on geographical location (e.g., Regional Offices).
  This principle aids in achieving specialization and efficiency within administrative structures.
• Coordination in Organizations: Gulick acknowledged the importance of coordination for organizational harmony. However, he differentiated between two main types:
  • Coordination through Hierarchy: This is the traditional, top-down approach where superiors direct subordinates. Gulick considered this essential but not always sufficient.
  • Deliberate Coordination: This involves conscious efforts to integrate activities through methods like inter-departmental committees, conferences, and decentralization. Gulick emphasized that these deliberate mechanisms could be more effective in complex organizations than relying solely on hierarchical authority.
  Understanding these distinctions is vital for analyzing organizational structures and decision-making processes.