In administration, principle of division of work is essential because?

IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Nursing Management & leadership

Medium

Appeared in: IGNOU PB Bsc Nsg Entrance-2017

Explanation

The primary reason for dividing work is that one person, such as an administrator or manager, cannot perform all the tasks required for an organization to function due to limitations in time, skill, and energy.
This principle, a cornerstone of classical management theory by Henri Fayol, involves breaking down large jobs into smaller, more manageable, and specialized components.
By delegating tasks, the administrator ensures that all necessary activities are completed, which is essential for achieving the organization's goals.
The very definition of administration involves getting work done through others, which is impossible without first dividing the work.

Option A: This statement relates to employee autonomy and management style (e.g., avoiding micromanagement), not the foundational reason for the structural principle of dividing work.
Option B: Job satisfaction is a potential positive outcome or a secondary benefit of having a well-defined, specialized role, but it is not the primary reason for dividing work. The principle is born out of organizational necessity, not primarily for employee happiness.
Option D: Preventing the overlapping of work is a key benefit and a goal of an effective and well-organized division of labor. However, it is a consequence, not the root cause. The need to divide the work because one person can't do it all comes first.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Principle of Division of Work in Management as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
In a hospital ward, a Nurse Manager cannot personally administer all medications, update all patient charts, provide all patient education, and manage staffing. They must divide these tasks among the nursing team (RNs, LPNs, aides) based on scope of practice and skill.
This division ensures patient safety and efficient care delivery, as each team member can focus on their assigned responsibilities, leading to higher quality outcomes.
What if? If there were no division of work on a nursing unit, the result would be chaos. The Nurse Manager would be overwhelmed, critical tasks would be missed, medication errors would increase, and both patient safety and staff morale would plummet.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question, which is the 'principle of division of work' from management theory.
Next, analyze the lead-in phrase 'essential because'. This prompts you to find the most fundamental reason or the root cause, not just a benefit or a consequence.
Evaluate each option to determine if it is a cause or an effect. Option C ('administrator cannot do all the work by himself') is a cause—a limitation that necessitates a solution.
Recognize that options B ('provides job satisfaction') and D ('prevents overlapping of work') are positive effects or benefits that result from implementing the solution (division of work).
Option A ('workers do not like interference') is a separate concept related to management style. Therefore, the most foundational reason is the administrator's limited capacity.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing_Management_and_leadership_Johny_Kutty_JosephCbs_Publishers (pp 16-364 of 374) pp. 28-30, 201-203

E6 Textbook of Nursing Management and Leadership I. Clemen — Subpart A (pp 26-327 of 982) p. 247-249