Co-ordination is:

Correct option is B

Co-ordination is called the essence of management because it is required at every level, in every function, and in every department of an organisation. Henri Fayol and later management thinkers emphasized that without proper coordination, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling cannot operate effectively.
Co-ordination integrates:
· Efforts of individuals
· Activities of departments
· Goals of different units
· Resources of the organisation
This ensures harmony, avoids duplication, minimizes conflicts, and leads to smooth functioning of all managerial activities. Since coordination is inherent and inseparable from all managerial functions, it is rightly termed “the essence of management.”
Thus, the correct answer is (b) the essence of Management.
Information Booster
1. Co-ordination is required at all levels—top, middle, and lower.
2. It ensures unity of action and synchronisation of efforts.
3. It is both a process and a responsibility of every manager.
4. It helps achieve organisational goals efficiently and effectively.
5. Effective coordination reduces conflict and enhances teamwork.