human resources

• What is an organisational structure?

  How a business organizes its staff
• What are the two main types of organisational structure?

  Hierarchical and flat
• What characterizes a hierarchical structure?

  • Many layers of management
  • Top-down approach
  • Long chain of command
  • Narrow span of control
• What is another term for a hierarchical structure?

  Tall organisational structure
• What is a flat structure?

  Few layers of management
• What is the span of control in a flat structure?

  Wide span of control
• What are key terms in organisational structure?

  • Span of control
  • Chain of command
  • Delayering
  • Delegation
  • Subordinates
• What does span of control refer to?

  Number of staff a manager oversees
• What is the chain of command?

  Flow of instructions in a business
• What is delayering?

  Removing layers of management
• What is delegation in a business context?

  Assigning tasks to staff members
• Who are subordinates in a business?

  Staff below a manager
• What are the two main forms of management structures?

  • Centralised
  • Decentralised
• What characterizes a centralised management structure?

  Decisions made at the top level
• What is a disadvantage of a centralised management structure?

  Can demotivate employees
• What are the advantages of a centralised management structure?

  • Consistency across the business
  • Clear direction
  • Closely controlled operations
  • Clear chain of command
• What are the disadvantages of a centralised management structure?

  • Can demotivate employees
  • Standardised approach may fail
  • May lower productivity
• What is a decentralised management structure?

  Decisions made by lower-level managers
• What are the advantages of a decentralised management structure?

  • Improved employee motivation
  • Local decision-making
  • More responsibility for employees
• What are the disadvantages of a decentralised management structure?

  • Inconsistency across the business
  • Potential for ineffective decisions
  • May impact sales negatively
• How does organisational structure affect communication?

  It impacts type and amount of communication
• What are common methods of communication in a business?

  Emails, phone calls, meetings
• What is insufficient communication?

  Not enough or poor-quality communication
• What is excessive communication?

  Too much communication causing confusion
• What are barriers to effective communication?

  • Poor explanations
  • Technology issues
  • Use of jargon
  • Lack of understanding
• What can result from ineffective communication?

  Reduced efficiency and mistakes
• What are the three ways employees can work?

  Part-time, full-time, flexible hours
• What defines full-time work?

  More than 35 hours per week
• What is part-time work?

  Less than full-time hours
• What are flexible hours?

  Employees choose their working hours
• What is a zero-hours contract?

  No specified hours per week
• What are the three types of employment contracts?

  • Permanent
  • Temporary
  • Freelance
• What is a permanent contract?

  No fixed end date for employment
• What is a temporary contract?

  Employment for a specific period
• What is a freelance contract?

  Self-employed for specific work
• How has technology impacted businesses?

  • Increased efficiency
  • Enabled remote working
• What does increased efficiency mean?

  Producing more quickly and accurately
• What is remote working?

  Working from home or elsewhere
• What is a disadvantage of remote working?

  Employees may not work as hard
• What is a benefit of remote working?

  More flexibility for employees