Which term refers to the assignment of some degree of authority and responsibility to persons lower in the chain of command?

• A. Delegation of Authority
• B. Centralization
• C. Decentralization
• D. Empowerment

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is delegation of authority: it’s the act of handing down decision-making power and the accompanying responsibility to someone lower in the chain of command, within defined limits, while the original manager remains accountable for the outcome. This matches the description of assigning some degree of authority and responsibility to others. Centralization contrasts by keeping most authority at the top; decentralization spreads decision-making across the organization but as a structural approach rather than a specific transfer to a subordinate; empowerment aims to give employees broader autonomy and confidence beyond just a delegated task.