The governor and the director of the department of management and any officer of the department of management, when authorized by the governor, are hereby authorized to make such inquiries regarding the receipts, custody, and application of state funds, existing organization, activities, and methods of business of the departments and establishments, assignments of particular activities to particular services and regrouping of such services, as in the opinion of the governor, will enable the governor to make recommendations to the legislature, and, within the scope of the powers possessed by the governor, to order action to be taken, having for their purpose to bring about increased economy and efficiency in the conduct of the affairs of government.