different organisational structures

• Give an example of a centralized structure.


  A traditional school where the headteacher makes all major decisions.
• Give an example of a decentralized structure.

  A school where teachers have autonomy in curriculum design and classroom management.
• What is the main characteristic of a decentralized structure?

  Decision-making power is distributed among various levels or departments.
• What is one advantage of centralized structures?

  Consistent decision-making due to a small group making decisions.
• How does a centralized structure ensure efficient resource allocation?

  Central control allows for better distribution of resources across the organization.
• What is a key disadvantage of centralized structures regarding communication?

  Communication bottlenecks can occur as information passes through multiple levels.
• How can centralized structures lead to an overload at the top?

  Senior management may become overwhelmed with decisions, leading to burnout or poor choices.
• What is a disadvantage of decentralized structures regarding consistency?

  Different parts of the organization might make conflicting decisions, leading to inconsistency.
• How does decentralization enhance employee motivation?

  Increased autonomy can lead to higher job satisfaction and initiative.
• What is one advantage of decentralized structures?

  Faster decision-making as local managers can make quick decisions without waiting for approval.
• What is a key difference between centralized and decentralized structures regarding decision-making speed?

  Centralized structures are slow for minor issues but fast for major ones, while decentralized structures are fast for local issues.
• How can decentralized structures lead to duplication of efforts?

  Various units might unknowingly repeat work done elsewhere, wasting resources.
• What are the advantages of centralized structures?

  • Consistent decision-making
  • Clear chain of command
  • Efficient resource allocation
  • Economies of scale
  • Rapid response to major issues
• What are the advantages of decentralized structures?

  • Faster decision-making
  • Flexibility
  • Employee motivation
  • Better use of local knowledge
  • Reduced burden on top management
• What are the disadvantages of centralized structures?


  • Slow decision-making
  • Lack of flexibility
  • Demotivation of lower-level employees
  • Communication bottlenecks
  • Overload at the top
• What are the disadvantages of decentralized structures?

  • Inconsistency
  • Duplication of efforts
  • Difficulty in coordination
  • Potential for suboptimal resource allocation
  • Risk of lower-quality decisions
• How do centralized and decentralized structures differ in terms of employee motivation?

  Centralized structures can lead to lower motivation, while decentralized structures generally result in higher motivation due to increased autonomy.
• What is the impact of centralized structures on coordination compared to decentralized structures?

  Centralized structures make coordination easier, while decentralized structures can make it more challenging.
• Which structure would be more suitable for a company aiming for flexibility and local responsiveness?

  Decentralized structure would be more suitable for flexibility and local responsiveness.
• How does the decision-making speed differ between centralized and decentralized structures for local issues?

  Decentralized structures allow for faster decision-making for local issues compared to centralized structures.
• What does organizational structure refer to?

  It refers to how a company arranges its teams and reporting relationships.
• What are the characteristics of a tall structure?

  • Many hierarchical levels
  • Narrow span of control (fewer employees reporting to each manager)
  • Vertical communication flow
• What are the characteristics of a flat structure?

  • Few hierarchical levels
  • Wide span of control (more employees reporting to each manager)
  • Horizontal communication flow
• How does a tall structure differ from a flat structure in terms of management levels?

  A tall structure has many management levels, while a flat structure has few management levels.
• In a flat structure, how does the span of control differ from that in a tall structure?

  A flat structure has a wide span of control, meaning more employees report to each manager.
• In a tall structure, what is the typical flow of communication?

  The communication flow is vertical.
• What is an example of a flat structure in a retail setting?

  CEO > Department Heads > Employees.
• What is an example of a tall structure in a retail setting?

  CEO > Regional Managers > Store Managers > Department Heads > Team Leaders > Employees.
• What are the advantages of tall structures?

  1. Clear career path
  2. Specialization
  3. Close supervision
  4. Clear chain of command
• Why might employees prefer a tall structure?

  Because it provides a clear career path and opportunities for progression.
• What is a disadvantage of tall structures regarding decision-making?

  Decisions often need to pass through multiple levels, causing delays.
• How can communication be affected in a tall structure?

  Information may become distorted as it passes through many layers.
• What is a financial disadvantage of tall structures?

  They incur higher salary expenses due to more management levels.
• What is a flexibility issue associated with tall structures?

  The rigid hierarchy can make it difficult to adapt quickly to changes.
• What are the disadvantages of tall structures?

  1. Slow decision-making
  2. Communication challenges
  3. Higher costs
  4. Inflexibility
• How does the number of management levels in a tall structure affect decision-making speed?

  More management levels typically slow down decision-making.
• In what way does a tall structure impact the clarity of the chain of command?

  A tall structure provides a very clear chain of command.
• What happens to the span of control as you move up the hierarchy in a tall structure?

  The span of control decreases as you move up the hierarchy.
• Who typically has the largest span of control in a tall structure?

  Lower-level management typically has the largest span of control.
• In a tall organizational structure, which level of management would likely have the smallest span of control?

  Top-level management would likely have the smallest span of control.