HR Definitions - Organisational Structures Flashcards
Define HRM
About how people are managed by a business in order to meet the strategic objectives of the business
Define organisational chart
A diagram that shows the hierarchy in a business, usually from top to bottom in terms of seniority
Define span of control
The number of employees/subordinates for whom a manager is responsible for
Define chain of command
Concerned with the way in which responsibility for employees is organised within a business
Define levels of hierarchy/layers
This refers to the number of levels/layers in a business organisation/hierarchy
Define line relationships
The vertical relationships (in the organisational hierarchy) between managers and subordinates
Define staff relationships
The horizontal relationship between a manager and another organisational member to/from whom the manager gives/receives information or advice
Define authority
Power over subordinates
Define responsibility
Duties to be undertaken
Define delayering
A process of reducing the number of levels/layers in an organisational structure
Define delegation
Involves the assignment to others of the authority for particular functions, tasks, and decisions
Define empowerment
Giving employees the power to do their job i.e. the authority to make decisions, plan their own work and solve their own problems
Define centralised structure
Keeping decision-making firmly at the top of the hierarchy (amongst the most senior management)
Define decentralised structure
Decision making being spread out to include more junior managers in the hierarchy, as well as individual business units or trading locations
Define tall organisation
Characterised as a structure with many layers in the hierarchy
Define flat organisation
Characterised as a structure with only a few layers in the hierarchy
Define subordinate
An employee who is a level down on the hierarchy
Define organisation by function/system
The business is arranged into specialist/functional areas, each function has some input into the output of the business’ product/service
Define organisation by product
Business is organised according to different products made, each product has own departments like a “mini company”
Define matrix structure
Individuals work across teams and projects as well as within their own department/function
Define organisation by division
Organised geographically/bases
