009 - organising Flashcards
(37 cards)
Define organising in a management context
Organising is arranging tasks, people, and resources to accomplish work efficiently.
It involves setting up an organisational structure linking people and groups.
What are the key benefits of good organising?
Good organising ensures:
* Clear communication
* Efficient work
* Accountability
Poor organising can lead to serious failures.
What can lead to failures in organising?
Key issues include:
* Poor delegation of authority
* Too wide a span of control
Example: Firestone/Ford tyre recall resulted in 271 deaths and $1.6 billion loss.
What is work specialisation?
Dividing tasks into separate jobs to improve efficiency.
Balance is needed to avoid boredom from too much specialisation.
What is the chain of command?
The clear line of authority in an organisation where authority flows top-down (e.g., CEO → CFO → Managers).
Define authority in the context of organising.
Authority is the formal right to make decisions and allocate resources.
What does responsibility entail in an organisational context?
Responsibility is the duty to perform assigned tasks.
What is delegation?
Delegation is passing authority and responsibility to lower levels.
What is span of control?
Span of control refers to how many employees report to one manager.
Describe a tall organisational structure.
A tall structure has a narrow span, more layers, and less flexibility.
Describe a flat organisational structure.
A flat structure has a wide span, fewer layers, and faster communication but may lack specialisation.
What is centralisation in organisational design?
Centralisation is when decision-making power is held at the top.
What is decentralisation?
Decentralisation is when decision-making power is spread to lower levels.
What does formalisation refer to in an organisation?
Formalisation refers to the extent of written rules, procedures, and documentation.
What are the advantages of a functional structure?
Advantages include:
* Efficient use of resources
* Deep specialisation
* Centralised decision-making.
What are the disadvantages of a functional structure?
Disadvantages include:
* Poor coordination across departments
* Hard to see the ‘big picture’
* Slow response to external changes.
What are the advantages of a divisional structure?
Advantages include:
* Focused on customer/product needs
* Fast responsiveness
* Clearer accountability.
What are the disadvantages of a divisional structure?
Disadvantages include:
* Duplication of resources
* Competition between divisions.
What characterizes a team structure?
A team structure organises employees into cross-functional or permanent teams working toward common goals.
What are the advantages of a team structure?
Advantages include:
* Breaks down silos
* Improves coordination and communication.
What are the disadvantages of a team structure?
Disadvantages include:
* Risk of conflict and dual loyalties
* Heavy reliance on meetings and collaboration.
What is a matrix structure?
A matrix structure combines functional and divisional structures with dual reporting.
What are the advantages of a matrix structure?
Advantages include:
* Efficient resource use
* Flexibility in fast-changing environments
* Encourages interdisciplinary skills.
What are the disadvantages of a matrix structure?
Disadvantages include:
* Frequent conflicts between managers
* Requires strong communication and conflict resolution.
