2.5

• what is an organisational structure

  the way employees and their job roles are organised in a business
• why do businesses have a structure

  • makes communication across the business easier
  • easy to see which part of the business does what
  • employees find it easier to know their roles and responsibilities
• what is the chain of command

  flow of information, power and authority through the business
• what is the span of control

  the number of subordinates that a manager is responsible for
• what is delegation

  when a task is given to a subordinate employee by their manager
• what is a subordinate

  an employee who is lower in rank or job position than their manager
• what is a hierarchical structure

  when people at the top of the structure have more power and responsibility than those at the bottom of the structure
• what are the advantages of the hierarchical structure

  • lots of layers in the structure means lots of opportunities for promotion
  • supervisors have a small span of control so get to know their subordinates really well
  • knowing subordinates means managers can delegate tasks and make sure their team is well rained
• what are the disadvantages of a hierarchical structure

  • a long chain of command can mean the business is very inflexible
  • communication within the business can be slow
  • the structure is expensive as there are more managers and supervisors
• what is a flat structure

  removes middle layers of management to make the business more streamlined so managers have a wider span of control and their is a short chain of command
• what are the advantages of a flat structure

  • communication is faster and easier as there are fewer layers
  • lots of delegation means that staff are given greater responsibility given them more opportunities use their skills
• what are the disadvantages of a flat structure

  • staff can be overworked which can cause stress and demotivation
  • can create a power struggle if the manager is rarely around as subordinates jostle for roles and responsibilities
  • wide span of control means managers have too many staff to manage and lose touch with them
• what is communication within a business

  the imparting or exchange of information using a variety of different mediums
• what are examples of communication within a business

  emails, newsletters, reports, notice board, presentation and video conference etc.
• what impact does excessive or insufficient communication have on efficiency

  poor communications impacts efficiency and slows down the process of projects which makes the business less productive and efficient
• what is the impact of insufficient or excessive communication on an employee

  • poor performance
  • damaged working relationships
  • frustration leading to stress
  • low employee motivation
• what is the impact of insufficient or excessive communication on the business

  • increased costs
  • poor employee relationships
  • lower productivity
  • high staff turn over
• what is the impact of insufficient or excessive communication on motivation

  if communication skills are poor, employees lack enthusiasm which can demotivate employees as they are forced to sit through dull and boring presentations where they are provided with unclear instructions leading to confusion
• how is distortion a communication barrier

  it gives an unclear or inaccurate message
• how is noise a communication barrier

  physical noise e.g traffic or a printer means someone can't concentrate fully
• how can differences in perception be a communication barrier

  different ages, culture, personality etc can lead to different understanding
• how can jumping to conclusions be a communication barriers

  is causes people to hear or see what you expect to hear or see
• how can a lack of interest be a communication barrier

  the receiver is disinterested
• how can information overload be a communication barrier

  the receiver receives too much information
• how can bias and selectivity be a communication barrier

  they receive only part of the message
• how can a lack of feedback be a communication barrier

  it is unsure whether the message has been received if there is no response
• what is a full time contract

  working a full week usually around 35 hours
• what is a part time contract

  works fewer hours than a full time worker - less than 35 hours a week
• what is a flexible contract

  way of working that suits an employees needs e.g flexible start and finish time
• what is a permanent contract

  a full time, salaried position with a contract to work minimum 36b hours a weak
• what is a temporary contract

  where the employer only needs extra staff t cover a seasonal period e.g at christmas
• what is a freelance contract

  a self employed person working from contract to contract who sets their own wage rates
• how does technology impact efficiency

  it can help organise the work environment
• how does technology impact the efficiency of everything

  everything from pay roll to stock control is managed more efficiently with well designed software in place
• how does technology impact the efficiency of documents

  documents such as letters are easier to write and edit not the computer
• how does technology impact the efficiency of phones

  phone systems include the technology for three way or four way calls to save time
• how does technology impact the efficiency of meetings

  video or conference calls also save plane fares and hotel costs if group calls are productive
• what is remote working

  employees can work form home routines somewhere that is not the main working environment of their employer
• why might someone want to work from home

  so they can work more flexible hours
• why may a business not want their employee to work from home

  they may be less productive and not all roles are able to work remotely