Re: Responsibility vs accountability LO2950

Grant B. Harris (Grant_B._Harris@workframe.com)
26 Sep 95 10:42:19

Replying to LO2849 --

Michael --

I like your point that Responsibility is the ability to promise a
response. Indeed "*Ability* is the key here." Should we not also involve
the word/concept of 'authority'? I sometimes think of accountability as
responsibility plus authority. (In my thinking, authority is primarily
with respect to the ability to commit resources - human, financial,
material, etc.) If you make someone responsible but do not give them
authority, can they be held accountable?
-----
Host's Note: Michael has a sick computer and may not see this for a
while.
-----

--
   Grant B. Harris
   Workframe, Inc.
   Cambridge, Massachusetts
   gbh@workframe.com