Functional authority contravenes which one of the following principles?

The correct answer is: B. Unity of command.

Functional authority is the authority that a manager has over employees in a different department or division, but who are working on a project that is related to the manager's department. This authority can conflict with the principle of unity of command, which states that each employee should have only one manager.

Unity of direction is the principle that there should be one plan of action and one person in charge for a given activity. This principle is important because it helps to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal and that there is no confusion about who is responsible for what.

Discipline is the principle that employees should obey the orders of their superiors. This principle is important because it helps to maintain order and efficiency in the workplace.

The scalar chain is the chain of authority that runs from the top of the organization to the bottom. This principle is important because it helps to ensure that orders are passed down from the top in a clear and concise manner.

Functional authority can conflict with the principle of unity of command because it can lead to employees having multiple managers. This can be confusing for employees and can lead to conflict between managers.

For example, let's say that a company has a marketing department and a sales department. The marketing manager might have functional authority over the sales department employees who are working on a marketing campaign. This means that the marketing manager can give orders to these employees, even though they are not directly under the marketing manager's supervision.

This can conflict with the principle of unity of command, because the sales department employees are still technically under the authority of the sales manager. This can lead to confusion and conflict between the two managers.

It is important to note that functional authority is not always a bad thing. It can be helpful in situations where employees need to work together on a project that is related to multiple departments. However, it is important to be aware of the potential conflicts that can arise when functional authority is used.