Analysing human resource performance

• What is the first and most common organizational structure?

  Functional structure
• What is another name for a functional structure?

  Bureaucratic organizational structure
• How does a functional structure organize a company?

  By the specialization of its workforce
• Which type of businesses typically implement a functional structure?

  Small-to-medium-sized businesses
• What departments are commonly found in a functional structure?

  Marketing, sales, and operations
• Why is the matrix structure considered confusing?

  Employees report to multiple leaders
• What is a matrix structure?

  A structure that matrixes employees across different superiors
• In a matrixed company, what duties might an employee have?

  Duties in both sales and customer service
• What are the key features of a matrix organization?

  • Teams report to multiple leaders
  • Open communication between teams
  • Encourages innovation in products and services
  • Prevents realignment for new projects
• What does the term "organization" refer to in a geographical context?

  Arrangement of a large geographical territory
• What is a product-based organizational structure?

  Groups employees by the goods or services they develop
• How does a product-based structure differ from a functional structure?

  It groups by products instead of functions
• What is one of the organisational issues a business needs to address?

  Where decision-making power resides
• What does decision-making in a business involve?

  Authority
• What is a key question regarding authority in business structures?

  Should authority be centralised or decentralised?
• What does centralised authority mean in a business?

  Authority rests with senior management
• What does decentralised authority imply in a business?

  Authority is delegated further down the hierarchy
• Is the choice between centralised and decentralised authority an either/or decision?

  No, it involves a degree of both
• What happens when a large business operates from several locations?

  It necessarily involves some decentralisation
• What is the main issue regarding independence in business units?

  How much independence do they have in decisions?
• What are the two types of structures discussed in the study material?

  Centralised and decentralised structures
• What levels of education are mentioned for the centralised versus decentralised structures?

  AS and A-Level
• Which examination boards are referenced in the study material?

  AQA, Edexcel, OCR, IB
• When was the study material last updated?

  22 Mar 2021
• What is the purpose of the study notes mentioned in the material?

  To provide resources for understanding structures
• What type of resources does the Reference Library include?

  Study notes, videos, and interactive activities
• How does decentralisation affect decision-making in a business?

  It allows for more localised decision-making
• What is one of the benefits of decentralisation in large businesses?

  Increased responsiveness to local markets
• What is the concept of delegation in human resource management?

  Assigning authority to others for tasks
• Why is delegation important in a business?

  It allows managers to focus on key tasks
• In a public limited company, who might a human resources director delegate tasks to?

  A recruitment and training manager
• How does delegation benefit a store manager in a supermarket?

  It allows specialists to handle specific tasks
• What are the potential benefits of effective delegation?

  • Matches tasks to the right person
  • Motivates and empowers employees
  • Develops skills through responsibility
  • Allows focus on strategic management
  • Leads to better decision-making
  • More efficient resource use
• What can happen if too much is delegated to employees?

  Workload and stress may increase
• Why can delegation be difficult in smaller businesses?

  Fewer people to take on tasks
• What should managers be cautious about when delegating tasks?

  Quality and reliability of subordinates
• What are the potential drawbacks of delegation?

  • Increased workload for subordinates
  • Potential for stress and performance issues
  • Risk of poor decision-making if mismanaged
  • Difficulty in smaller businesses
• What is a key aspect of effective delegation?

  Setting firm objectives and aims
• How can effective delegation serve as on-the-job training?

  By giving employees extra responsibilities
• What do the levels of hierarchy refer to in an organization?

  Number of layers within an organization