Which term describes the transfer of authority from a manager to a subordinate while the manager remains accountable?

Which term describes the transfer of authority from a manager to a subordinate while the manager remains accountable?

• A. Delegation
• B. Empowerment
• C. Assignment
• D. Accountability

Answer: (A)

Delegation is the transfer of authority to a subordinate to carry out tasks or make decisions within defined limits, while the manager still remains accountable for the outcome. This fits the description because the person above hands over the power to act, but the manager retains overall responsibility for what happens. Simply assigning tasks doesn’t automatically give decision-making authority, and empowerment involves broader autonomy and a shift in how much control subordinates have, while accountability is about being answerable for results rather than transferring authority.

Delegation is the transfer of authority to a subordinate to carry out tasks or make decisions within defined limits, while the manager still remains accountable for the outcome. This fits the description because the person above hands over the power to act, but the manager retains overall responsibility for what happens. Simply assigning tasks doesn’t automatically give decision-making authority, and empowerment involves broader autonomy and a shift in how much control subordinates have, while accountability is about being answerable for results rather than transferring authority.