Q.SanakLal and Gagan started their career in Wales Limited (a printing press) after going through a rigorous recruitment process. Since they had no prior work experience, the firm decided to give them one year to prove themselves. Name the principle of management followed by Wales Limited.

Imagine you work in a large office. You need a small approval from the head of another department, but you are not allowed to talk to them directly. Instead, you must first tell your supervisor, who tells their supervisor, who tells the other department's head, and then the reply travels all the way back down the same chain. That long, slow route is the formal chain of command. Now imagine you could just walk over and speak to that person directly, as long as you later inform your respective bosses. That shortcut is the essence of the Scalar Chain.

The Principle of Scalar Chain, given by Henri Fayol, states that in any organisation, there should be a clear, unbroken line of authority from the topmost position to the lowest. This line is often called the chain of command or the line of authority. Every employee knows exactly who they report to and who reports to them. This prevents confusion, maintains discipline, and ensures that orders and information flow in an orderly manner.

However, Fayol was practical. He knew that strictly following this chain for every small communication would be painfully slow. So he introduced the idea of a "gang plank" (sometimes called a bridge). This is a direct, horizontal communication link between two employees at the same level in different departments, provided their respective superiors have authorised it and are kept informed.

Here is why this principle matters in a real organisation:

• Clarity of reporting: Every person knows their immediate boss and their immediate subordinates. This removes ambiguity about who gives orders and who is accountable.
• Orderly communication: Formal information (policies, major decisions) travels through the chain, ensuring everyone in the line is aware and can act accordingly. …