The correct answer is C. Decentralization of authority means delegating responsibility.
A. Giving permission to the subordinate to do his work is not decentralization of authority. It is simply giving permission to the subordinate to do his work.
B. Conveyance of what the subordinate is expected to do is not decentralization of authority. It is simply conveying to the subordinate what he is expected to do.
D. Departmentalizing activities is not decentralization of authority. It is simply organizing activities into departments.
Decentralization of authority is the delegation of decision-making power from a central authority to lower levels of an organization. This can be done by giving subordinates more autonomy, or by creating new decision-making bodies at lower levels. Decentralization can improve efficiency and effectiveness by allowing decisions to be made closer to the point of action, and by giving subordinates more ownership over their work. However, it can also lead to problems of coordination and control.