The Four Orders of Administration

First Order Operation and Administration Many organisations have clearly defined objectives. A furniture manufacturing company obviously exists to make and sell furniture. All the activities which take place within such a company are ultimately dependent on the successful performance of this primary task. Many operations have to be completed if this task is to be accomplished. Some of these are physical in character and others are administrative. Employees will not work without payment. Consequently, it is essential that pay be calculated and distributed. Again, the company will be obliged to pay tax and produce financial returns of various kinds. Work of this sort is unavoidable if the primary task is to be accomplished. The company may need to raise finance to maintain or replace its plant and equipment. The work which this involves is also evidently necessary to the successful accomplishment of the primary task. Work which is essential to the accomplishment of primary tasks will be called “first order operations”. Some of these will be administrative in character and will be designated “first order administration”.