From the viewpoint of an administrator, the chief value of authority is its use as a means of:

• A. Unifying and coordinating actions.
• B. Determining who is responsible if things go wrong.
• C. Recognizing ability.
• D. Providing social prestige essential for accomplishment of objectives.

Answer: (A)

Authority in administration is about creating clear direction and coordinated action across people and units. When authority is used to designate who makes binding decisions, who is responsible for what, and how tasks fit into the overall plan, it guides everyone toward a common goal. This unity of purpose and coordinated effort reduce confusion, prevent overlapping work, and keep activities aligned, which is essential for getting programs and operations to run smoothly. While recognizing ability, assigning accountability, or enjoying prestige can accompany authority, they don’t drive effectiveness as directly as the ability to unify and coordinate actions toward shared objectives.