Managerial authority in a decision analysis context

The paper uses a decision analysis context to develop a definition of the managerial concept of authority. This development begins with a decision analysis model to identify a typical decision problem. This model is then used to develop a structured definition of authority by building on a conceptual definition that was abstracted from the management literature: authority is the power to make action choices. As developed in the decision analysis context, authority is defined as the power to alter resource allocation, incentives or perception. Various statements in the literature are examined to see if the decision analysis model is incompatible with the descriptive model presented by the literature. The paper then briefly discusses possible uses of the model in analyzing authority delegation, the perceived authority concept, and the relationship between authority and responsibility.

A Rare Clinical Course of Seronegative Pulmonary-Renal Syndrome

Purpose. Pulmonary-renal syndrome (PRS) is characterized by diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis mainly due to autoimmune etiologies. Seronegative PRS is a challenging entity to the clinician, since early diagnosis may be missed leading to delayed appropriate treatment. Materials and Methods. We present the clinical course of a 77-year-old patient who was admitted under the suspected diagnosis of pneumogenic sepsis and septic renal failure with fever, dyspnea, and elevated CRP levels. The diagnosis of pulmonary-renal syndrome was initially missed because of the absence of autoantibodies in all serological findings. Results. Despite delayed initiation of immunosuppressive therapy and a prolonged period of dialysis and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation the patient recovered well and was released to a rehabilitation center with nearly normalized creatinine levels. The diagnosis of PRS was established by renal biopsy. Conclusion. This case illustrates the important differential diagnosis of seronegative pulmonary-renal syndrome in patients with pulmonary and renal impairment