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The acronym POSDCORB, which delineates the seven functions of administration according to Gulick, was coined by:

AHenry Fayol

BLuther Gulick

CLyndall Urwick

DHerbert Simon

Answer:

B. Luther Gulick

Read Explanation:

Luther Gulick and the POSDCORB Acronym

  • Luther Gulick (1892–1993) was a prominent American public administration scholar and theorist.
  • He, along with Lyndall Urwick, developed and popularized the POSDCORB acronym as a framework for understanding the functions of management and administration.
  • This acronym was introduced in their seminal 1937 report, Papers on the Science of Administration.
  • POSDCORB represents seven key administrative functions:
    • P - Planning: Devising the outlines of something to be done.
    • O - Organizing: Establishing the structure of the organization.
    • S - Staffing: Recruiting, training, and maintaining the workforce.
    • D - Directing: Issuing orders and instructions.
    • C - Coordinating: Interrelating the work of different units.
    • O - Reporting: Keeping the superiors informed through records and research.
    • B - Budgeting: Fiscal planning, accounting, and control.
  • Gulick's contribution is foundational in the study of public administration and management, influencing organizational theory and practice for decades.
  • His work provided a systematic approach to analyzing and improving administrative processes, making it a frequently cited concept in competitive examinations related to public administration and management.

Related Questions:

According to Felix A. Nigre’s definition of administration, which of the following is/are true?

i. It involves the organization and use of men and materials to accomplish a purpose.

ii. It is exclusively concerned with public sector organizations.

iii. It is a cooperative effort aimed at achieving a common objective.

iv. It requires a high degree of rationality in decision-making.

Consider the following statements regarding Fayol's Elements of Administration:

I. According to Fayol, elements include Planning (foresee and plan), Organizing (build material and human structure), Commanding (maintain activity among personnel).

II. Other elements are Coordinating (bind together and harmonize efforts) and Controlling (ensure conformity with rules and expressed command), forming POC CC.

III. Fayol emphasized that technical ability is required at higher levels of the organization, with administrative ability predominant at lower levels.

Consider the following statements regarding further critiques by Argyris, Barnard, and Subramaniam:

  1. Classical theory neglects informal processes, treating organizations as closed systems static to external environments.

  2. Argyris highlighted incongruence between mature personality needs and classical structures, fostering passivity at lower levels.

  3. It displays a pro-management bias by focusing solely on operational issues beyond management problems.

Assertion (A): Classical theory's neglect of informal organization leads to a static model uninfluenced by external environments.

Reason (R): Systems approach highlights this limitation, as classical views organizations as closed systems focused on formal structures.

Which of the following statements about the definition of administration is/are not correct?
i. Administration is derived from the Latin words ad and ministrare, meaning 'to serve' or 'to manage.'
ii. Administration requires a collective effort but does not necessarily involve a common purpose.
iii. Administration is a universal process that occurs only in governmental settings.