Authority is necessary to perform the work. These three terms are almost always confused, interchanged and usually poorly understood. Accountability isnât the easiest term to grasp, and thereâs often a tendency to confuse it with responsibility. Published in New Zealand Management, June 2015. Below we will tease apart the differences. Responsibility is an ethical concept that refers to the fact that individuals and groups have morally based obligations and duties to others and to larger ethical and moral codes, standards and traditions. In the process of delegation, the superior transfers his duties/responsibilities to his subordinate and also give necessary authority for performing the responsibilities assigned. Authentic body of an organization is top-level management, top-level management direct the subordinates. With accountability, someone is held to account and the action must result. Responsibility vs Accountability: Definitions and Reflections . Defining Authority, Responsibility and Accountability To get a better understanding of the various roles in an office, it would help to define some key terms. Authority, Responsibility and Accountability are Inter-related They need proper consideration while introducing delegation of authority within an Organisation. The definition of accountability ⦠Definitions of accountability and responsibility are largely similar upon first glance, but worry not! It is the obligation to carry out responsibility and exercise authority in terms of established standards of performance. We are stronger as a collaborative group than a self-absorbed individual. Authority is a limit. Accountability vs. responsibility vs. authority. Accountability: Accountability is the personal answerability for decisions, actions and result of a subordinate to his superior. Responsibility that is NOT connected to an accountability can be a recipe for disaster, because noble action may be taken without regard for a defined objective. Concepts of Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability: Authority: Authority is the right to give order and the power to exact obedience. Robbins) Authority, Responsibility, and Accountability Introduction There is a deï¬nite relationship between authority, responsibility and accountability. A responsibility defines by Davis, âresponsibility is an obligation of the individual to perform assigned duties to the best of his ability under the direction of his executive leadership.â By contrast, responsibility is more values driven, coming from within. Accountability versus responsibility. Without a clear understanding of this relationship, eï¬ective functional management, with clear lines of reporting ⦠As we pursue our responsibility, we distribute our authority and accountability to talented team members so they can engage and help achieve the goals. Meaning of authority, responsibility and accountability. Let's take a closer look. Stop confusing: Accountability vs. Responsibility vs. Authority! In a recent interview about scaling businesses with Verne Harnish we talked through the differences between Accountability, Responsibility and Authority in some detail. Hereâs how the two are different. (Henri Fayol) Similarly, Authority is the right to act or command others to act towards the attainment of organizational goals.(S.P. So now we talk about responsibility, authority, and accountability in detail. A person cannot become free from responsibility even if he delegates the authority to others. 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