Sunday, June 8, 2008

CENTRALIZATION Vs DECENTRALIZATION

CENTRALIZATION Vs DECENTRALIZATION


Centralization refers to the retention of control by the TOP Management in the area of decision-making. Decentralization refers to the participation of employees in the decision-making process. The term centralization and decentralization can also be used to refer the organizational aspects such as administrative process, location of the firm, different functions that are being carried out, and the extent to which authority is delegated.

“Centralization is the systematic and consistent reservation of authority at central points within an organisation. Decentralization applies to the systematic delegation of authority in an organization-wide context.” Louis A. Allen

“Centralization is the relative retention of decision-making authority by Top Management. Decentralization is the granting of decision-making authority by Management to lower level employees.” Robert Kreitner

Since organizations cannot be either completely centralized or decentralized, the challenge for managers is to work out the right balance between these two extremes.

Factors in Relative Centralisation/Decentralisation

Highly Centralized Organisation Highly Decentralized Organisation
How many decisions are made at lower levels in the hierarchy? Very few, if any Many or most
How important are the decisions that are made at lower levels (i.e., do they impact organizational success or dollar values)? Not very important Very important
How many different functions (e.g., production, marketing) rely on lower level decision-making? Very few, if any All or most
How much does top mgt monitor or check up on lower level decision-making? A great deal Very little or none



Factors affecting Centralisation/Decentralisation
1. History and Nature of the Organisation: Centralisation or decentralization of authority depends on the manner, in which the organisation has built up over time i.e., history of the organisation. As organisation that has been primarily built by an individual’s efforts tends to have a highly centralized structure. Organizations that have grown through a number of mergers, amalgamations and consolidations tend to stay decentralized.

2. Availability of Competent Managers: The degree of decentralization in an organisation is influenced by the availability of competent managers. Decentralisation of authority may not be possible if the managers of the organisation are not talented enough, and if they can’t handle the problems of decentralized units.

3. Size of the Organisation: The size of the organisation is another factor that effects decentralization. In a large organisation, numerous decisions have to be taken at different places. Therefore, it becomes difficult to coordinate the functions of different departments. To avoid slow decision-making and to bring down the costs associated with managing a large organisation, authority should be decentralized. Decentralisation enables the organisation to operate as a group of small independent units thus reducing the workload of managers, reducing the amount of paperwork and improving the quality of decisions.

4. Geographical Dispersion: Decentralisation is effective for the organizations, which have operations in different locations. Top-level executives often find it impossible to keep track of the details of operations in scattered locations. In such cases, the control exercised by the top Management from the headquarters may be ineffective, because they are unlikely to know the local conditions or problems. Therefore, such geographically diverse units can be decentralized and managers from these units made responsible for their operations and profits.

5. Technical Complexity of Tasks: Technology has changed rapidly over the years and there is a growing need for specialists who can understand it. Since it is impossible for the top-level Management t keep track of all technological advances and handle technology-related issues, it becomes necessary to delegate authority for carrying out technical projects to experts in the concerned fields. In such cases, organizations need to follow a decentralized approach.


6. Time frame of Decisions: In order to survive in a highly competitive environment, every organisation has to capitalize on the available opportunities. In a decentralized organisation, the authority to make decisions lies with the head of that particular unit. Therefore, decisions can be made faster. The decisions are made closer to the scene of action, and are therefore, timely and accurate.

7. The Importance of a Decision: The importance of a decision to an organisation is also a crucial factor that influences the decentralization of authority. Generally, decisions, which involve high risks and costs, are made by the top management, while the decisions involving routine and low-risk activities are delegated to the subordinates.

8. Planning and Control Procedures: If an organisation has clear objectives and a specific plan to achieve them, a superior would be willing to allow subordinates to make decisions independently. The assigning of functions such as organizing, staffing, directing and controlling to managers at different levels depends on the manner in which they have been allocated at the time of designing the organizational plans and also on the extent to which these plans have been implemented. When lower level managers are allowed to participate in the planning process, decentralization is facilitated.

To be effective, decentralization should be supported by a well-defined system of control procedures in order to ensure that the performance at different levels in the organisation is in accordance with its plans. The greater the degree of development and use of control techniques, the better are the chances for effective decentralization.

In the absence of good planning system and control procedures, it is difficult for the top management to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of decisions made by subordinates.

9. Views of Subordinates: The willingness of subordinates to take on additional responsibilities is another factor that affects the degree of decentralization. If the subordinates are dynamic and well trained, they will accept any authority delegated to them and take on the responsibility of achieving stated goals. Such subordinates strive to make best use of their abilities in order to achieve the goals. But, if the subordinates are not willing to take up additional responsibilities and prefer to evade responsibility, they may perceive delegation of authority and decentralization as a threat.

10. Environmental Influence: Besides the factors mentioned above, all of which are internal to the organisation, there are environmental factors also that affect the degree of decentralization. Government regulation of private business is the most important factor, which affects the extent of decentralization. For instance, organizations whose pricing mechanisms are decided by the government, e.g. fertilizers, cement, etc. do not require managers to spend much time in determining the price structure. In such a case, this function can’t be decentralized, as even the top management does not have any authority over it.

BALANCE – THE KEY TO DECENTRALIZATION

There is no simple answer to the question whether centralization or decentralization is the preferable option for an organization. Decentralization is not a panacea (proper solution) for all problems, and centralization is not necessarily bad. The major problem caused by decentralization is, an organisation is loss of control. It is not advisable for an organisation to decentralize to such an extent that organizational goals are forgotten and the existence of the organisation as a unified entity is threatened. Therefore, an organisation should strike a balance between centralization and decentralization.

It should opt for centralization in certain major policy areas at the top level such as financing, overall profit goals and budgeting, new product programs, basic personnel policies, development and compensation of managerial personnel, major marketing strategies etc.

The organisation can also decide to decentralize routine and monotonous tasks that subordinates at the lower level can carry out without much guidance from superiors. This would enable managers to focus their attention on strategic and important issues.



MERITS & DEMERITS OF DECENTRALISATION

Advantages/Merits of Decentralization

1. Decision can be taken by lower level managers.

2. Facilitates fast decision-making.

3. Decisions and strategies can be quickly adapted to the competitive environment.

4. Provide autonomy to employees, increases their self-confidence and thus enhances their motivation level.

5. Highly effective in large and complex organizations where it is difficult for top management situated in the headquarters to study the local conditions and take appropriate decisions.

6. Frees the top management from decisions related to day-to-day operations and allows them to concentrate on strategic issues.

Disadvantages/Demerits of Decentralization

1. Coordination of decentralized units poses a serious challenge to top management.

2. Policies may not be applied uniformly across all the units and this may lead to employee de-motivation.

3. Differences in opinions of top management and unit heads can often lead to conflicts.

4. Competition between various units may be very severe, they may develop hostility toward each other making it difficult to reap benefits such as resource and knowledge sharing.

5. Economics of scale may not be realized as each unit tries to be independent.

6. The success of a unit will depend on the efficiency and capability of its head.

2 comments:

Shadhin Kangal said...

The degree of centralization and decentralization will depend upon the amount of authority delegated to the lowest level. Managers cannot be ordinarily for or against decentralization of authority.

Decentralization refers to the systematic effort to delegate to the lowest level of authority except that which can be controlled and exercised at central points.

Factors determining degree of decentralization will depend upon the amount of authority delegated to the lowest level.

Unknown said...

Where should the balance between centralization and decentralization?It is not cleared stated above.