The theories of departmental organization are criticised on the basis that they are incompatible with each other. There is also overlap between them, and they are also said to be vague. Further it is pointed out that the principles are prospective rather descriptive in that they state that how work should be divided rather than how work is actually divided.
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Organizations grow according to the dictates of the situation and in consonance with requirement of efficiency and goal achievement. Thus, one may see that all the four bases of departmental organization being adopted, though not deliberately, in a single organization.
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For instance the defence department based on purpose may have geographical sub-divisions as the basis for its working. The departments may have clientele sub-units which look after the welfare of the war widows. Again there may be accounts divisions in the departments based on skill specialisation.
In spite of the varied criticism the classical administrative theory stands out prominent in the literature of administration even today. No text book of administration is complete without the discussion of these principles of organization.
The simple truth underlying the preposition stated as the principles by the classical thinkers cannot be denied. But these prepositions are misleading as they at best present only half truths.
Thus it can best be concluded that though these principles do not represent all the aspects of administration, still there is a common element between the classical theories and the work of several contemporary writers on administration.
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The commonness of approach relates to an interest in the structure, administrative economy and efficiency, settlement of conflict, delegation, of authority decentralisation etc.