Correct Answer: Correct answer is: (C) Authority.
Exam Relevance: UPSC, GRE, GMAT, MBA Entrance Exams
Difficulty: Moderate
Concept notes: Authority is the formal and legitimate power given to a person or position to make decisions, give orders, and direct work activities of others.
Common Mistakes: Students often confuse authority with power or influence, which are not necessarily formal or legitimate.
Explanations: Authority is the formal and legitimate power given to a person or position to make decisions, give orders, and direct work activities of others. This makes it the correct choice as it directly aligns with the ability to make decisions, give orders, and direct work activities. Power and influence, while related, do not necessarily imply formal or legitimate authority.
Option Analysis: - Option A: Power is the ability to influence or control others, but it is not necessarily formal or legitimate.
- Option B: Influence is the ability to affect others' behavior or decisions, but it is not necessarily formal or legitimate.
- Option C: Authority is the formal and legitimate power to make decisions, give orders, and direct work activities.
- Option D: Command is the act of giving orders, but it does not necessarily imply the formal and legitimate power that authority entails.
Mnemonic: A - Authority, A - Actual, A - Administrative