Human Resources

Question 1

define organisational structure

Answer 1

a system which outlines how activities are directed in order to achieve goals and keep high organisation

Question 2

define span of control

Answer 2

how many subordinates a person has to manage

Question 3

what is tall/hierarchal structures

Answer 3

many levels and layers of management

Question 4

what are flat structure

Answer 4

a hierarchy with few levels/ layers of management

Question 5

define delegation

Answer 5

the assignment to others of authority for particular tasks

Question 6

what are organisational charts

Answer 6

this is a diagram which shows the hierarchy in a business
- usually from top to bottom in terms of seniority

Question 7

what do organisational charts show

Answer 7

• who is responsible for what
• who has authority for who
• lines of communications
• progression of opportunities

Question 8

what kind of span of control does a flat structure have

Answer 8

wide span of control
- therefore more delegation and responsibility for employee

Question 8

what kind of span of control does a tall structure have

Answer 8

narrow span of control
- therefore more direct supervision
- more promotion [ can move higher up ]

Question 8

advantages of a narrow span of control

Answer 8

• manager gets to spend more time giving staff clear/direct instructions

Question 8

disadvantages of a narrow span of control

Answer 8

• staff may feel watched over all the time - not much independence

Question 9

advantages of wide span of control

Answer 9

• independence and less supervision may be motivating for staff

Question 9

disadvantages of wide span of control

Answer 9

staff may perform badly if managers lose control

Question 9

define chain of command

Answer 9

the order of authority and delegation within a business

Question 10

define levels of hierarchy

Answer 10

the number of layers in a business organisation

Question 11

define line relationships

Answer 11

the vertical relationships between managers and subordinates

Question 12

define staff relationships

Answer 12

the horizontal relationships between a manager and another manager

Question 13

reasons why tall structures work better

Answer 13

• everyone knows who they report to
• provides leadership and control
• line managers are clearer on delegation

Question 13

reasons why flat structures work better

Answer 13

• more empowering as more control for staff to make decisions
• encourages trust bcos of wide span of control

Question 14

define delayering

Answer 14

the process of reducing the number of layers in an organisational structure

Question 15

advantages of delayering

Answer 15

• more employee responsibility because of increased delegation
• faster communication and decisions made more quickly

Question 16

disadvantages of delayering

Answer 16

• spans of control will widen
• redundancy payments [short term]
• damage to staff morale [colleagues leaving]

Question 17

define centralised structure

Answer 17

when decision making is kept firmly at the top of the hierarchy

Question 17

define decentralised structure

Answer 17

when decision making is spread out throughout the hierarchy
–> it can be decided by the business of how far down they want to decentralise

Question 18

benefits of centralisation

Answer 18

- easier to implement common policies and practices for a whole business - easier to coordinate and control from centre - quicker decision making --> easier to show strong leadership

Question 19

drawbacks of centralisation

Answer 19

- decisions slows down as this is only are made at the top - lack of authority down the hierarchy may reduce motivation

Question 20

benefits of decentralisation

Answer 20

- better able to respond to local circumstances --> improves customer service - empowering staff and increasing motivation

Question 21

what kind of structures do tall normally have

Answer 21

centralised

Question 21

drawbacks of decentralisation

Answer 21

- no sting leadership when needed - decisions are hard to keep strategic and consistent throughout different locations

Question 22

what kind of structures do flat normally have

Answer 22

decentralised

Question 23

define organisation by function AKA AS ORGANISATION BY SYSTEM

Answer 23

the business is arranged into specialist areas - each function has some input into the output of the business' products/services - organised by HR, marketing and finance for every product

Question 24

define organisation by product

Answer 24

the business is organised according to different products made - each product becomes a mini company with its own finance, marketing and HR departments - organised by each product the company makes - eg ~ apple: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch

Question 25

advantages of organisation by function

Answer 25

- specialists can concentrate on what they know best and share ideas - less duplication as there are not multiple teams --> cheaper and more efficient

Question 26

disadvantages of organisation by function

Answer 26

- conflict may occur over budgets between different departments - department can't identify the outcome of their work

Question 27

advantages of organisation by product

Answer 27

- easy to see which products perform well - each centre has a lot of autonomy (independence) -teams can see direct results of work

Question 28

disadvantages of organisation by product

Answer 28

- different products compete for resources - duplication of departments may waste products

Question 29

what is a matrix structure

Answer 29

this is when individuals work across teams and projects, as well as within their own function - an individual can work for a project the company is working on and report to the project manager but also have function managers who they will also report to. resulting in two managers

Question 30

advantages of matrix structure

Answer 30

- can help break down department barriers, improving communication across entire organisation - can allow skill sharing between departments - likely to improve morale of staff

Question 31

disadvantages of matrix structure

Answer 31

- takes time for staff to get used to working for two managers if never done before - can put a lot of pressure on staff - team members may neglect their functional responsibilities

Question 32

advantages of organisation by division

Answer 32

- easy to see how well a region performs - teams will be closer to customer wants and needs