Which term refers to the expectation that a position directs and controls activities while following instructions from higher ranks?

The term that describes the expectation that a position directs and controls activities while following instructions from higher ranks is "authority." Authority encapsulates the power or right given to an individual to make decisions, give orders, and enforce obedience. It is inherently tied to the structure of organizations, where those in higher ranks have the jurisdiction to guide and direct lower ranks.

Hierarchy, while related, refers more broadly to the system or organization in which individuals are ranked one above the other according to status or authority. While authority exists within a hierarchical framework, the term itself is more focused on responsibility and the legitimacy of directing actions. Command emphasizes the act of giving orders, and control refers to the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events. Both of these concepts also play roles in organizational dynamics but do not specifically encapsulate the element of following directives from higher ranks as well as authority does.