Barnard and the Theory of Authority

Abstract

In this chapter, we explain the theory of authority developed by Barnard. This theory is a milestone in the development of studies on the organization and the management of for-profit and non-profit companies. The phenomenon of authority cannot be fully understood unless we favor the so-called subjective aspect and the objective aspect. Barnard affirms that “the objective aspect” of authority is of great importance for executives and for scholars because this profile concerns the organizational structure and, in particular, the control lines (defined as lines of communication), which have the task of “holding together” the structure, to create order, stability, and coordination of management activity.