Organisational structures

• What is the span of control in an organizational structure?

  The number of staff that a manager has responsibility for
• What does the chain of command refer to?

  The route by which instructions and communications flow from the top to bottom
• What is delayering in a business context?

  A process where a business removes layers of its management
• What is delegation in an organizational structure?

  A process where tasks are given to members of staff, with managers retaining full responsibility
• Who are subordinates in a business?

  Members of staff below a manager in the chain of command
• What are the pros and cons of a centralized management structure?

  Pros:

  • Consistency across the business
  • Clear direction
  • Closely controlled operations and decisions
  • Clear chain of command and accounting

  
  

  Cons:

  • Can demotivate employees
  • Standardized approach may not work everywhere
  • May lower productivity
• What is a disadvantage of a centralized management style?

  It can demotivate employees
• How does a decentralized management structure benefit employees?

  It improves employee motivation by allowing managers lower down the chain to make decisions
• What are the pros and cons of a decentralized management structure?

  Pros:

  • Improved employee motivation
  • Managers can make decisions suited to local areas

  
  

  Cons:

  • Inconsistency across the business
  • Ineffective decisions may impact sales
• What is a barrier to effective communication?

  Something that stops communication from happening or makes it less effective
• What are some barriers to effective communication?

  • Poor explanations
  • Poor spelling and grammar
  • Incorrect language
  • Technology issues
  • Poor structuring of information
  • Use of jargon or slang
  • Lack of understanding
• What is the impact of insufficient communication in a business?

  It can negatively impact efficiency and motivation
• What can excessive communication lead to in a workplace?

  It can cause confusion and stress among employees
• What are the types of employment contracts?

  • Permanent contracts: No fixed end date
  • Temporary contracts: Specific end date
  • Freelance contracts: Self-employed for specific work
• What characterizes a permanent contract?

  It has no fixed end date
• What is a temporary contract?

  A contract with a specific end date
• What defines a freelance contract?

  A contract where a self-employed individual is engaged for specific work
• How does technology increase efficiency in a business?

  By enabling quicker and more accurate production with fewer resources
• What is remote working?

  Working from home or a location other than the employer's main environment
• What is a hierarchical structure in an organization?

  A "tall" structure with many layers and a narrow span of control
• What is a flat structure in an organization?

  A structure with few layers of management and a wide span of control
• What is decentralized management?

  Where the business allows decisions to be made by subordinates
• What is centralized management?

  Where business decisions are made at the top and distributed down the chain of command