Organisational Structures Flashcards
(16 cards)
what is an organisational structure
how people and departments are arranged in a business
what do tall organisational structures have
many layers of staff from top to bottom
what do flat organisational structures have
few layers of staff
what are advantages of tall structures
- clear communication between layers
- managers are only responsible for a few people
- opportunities for promotions which increases motivation
what are disadvantages of tall structures
- being controlled by their line manager decreases motivation
- workers may only speak to close colleagues
- workers may be less supportive to workers in other areas
what are advantages of flat structures
- workers talk to a wider range of colleagues which increases ideas
- managers delegate responsibilities which increases motivation
what are disadvantages of flat structures
- unclear communication means information isn’t understood
- managers have a lot of workers to oversee
- lack of promotion opportunities which decreases motivation
what is the suitability of tall structures
they suit large organisations such as hospitals, and they suit businesses where workers perform clear tasks such as a building company
what is the suitability of flat structures
they suit creative businesses such as computer game design, and they suit small businesses so the workers feel valued
what is an organisational chart
a diagram that shows who is in charge of who in a business
what is authority
a line manager gives instructions to other workers
what is subordinates
the workers that a line manager is responsible for
what is delegation
a manager gives a subordinate responsibility to make decisions
what is a chain of command
the link in authority from those at the top to those at the bottom
what is a span of control
the number of subordinates a manager has authority over
