Human Resources: Organisational Structures Flashcards

1
Q

Define:

Organisational structure

A

The way a business arranges itself to carry out it’s operations

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2
Q

What is an organisational chart?

A

A plan showing the roles of employees and the relationships between them in a business.

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3
Q

What is a line manager?

A

The person immediately above an employee - their immediate supervisor.

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4
Q

What is authority?

A

The power to control others and make decisions

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5
Q

What is an employee’s span of control?

A

The number of workers managed by them - the people they are responsible for

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6
Q

What are levels of hierarchy?

A

The layers of authority within a business

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7
Q

What is the chain of command?

A

The line of authority within a business which communication passes through.

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8
Q

What is delayering?

A

Removing levels of hierarchy from the organisational structure of a business.

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9
Q

What is delegation?

A

Giving authority to the people below you.

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10
Q

What is a subordinate?

A

An employee working below you

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11
Q

What is a flat organisational structure?

2 marks

A

Any answer with the following:

  • wide spans of control
  • few levels of hierarchy
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12
Q

What is a tall organisational structure?

2 marks

A

Any answer with the following:

  • narrow spans of control
  • high number of levels of hierarchy
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13
Q

Explain 2 factors that may influence which organisational structure a business chooses

(4 marks)

A

Any answer including 2 of the following:

  • The skills of the workforce, because skilled workers are more able to make decisions on their own. Skilled workers need less supervision from managers.
  • The management style used in the business, because managers that like to retain control over employees are more likely to use a tall organisational structure. This smaller span of control makes close supervision easier. Managers who don’t wish to control employees will delegate and use a flatter organisational structure.
  • The competitive environment, because a business in a very competitive environment may wish to keep costs low and have good performance from it’s workforce. This may lead to the use of a flat organisational structure which requires less managers.
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14
Q

Explain the term “communication”

1 mark

A

The exchange of information between 2 or more people

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15
Q

Why are video calls a good channel of communication for a small business?

(3 marks)

A

Any 3 of the following:

  • Video calling services are free, or very cheap
  • Video calls are cost effective
  • Video calls can be taken anywhere in the world
  • Video calls are a method of instant communication
  • Video calls are a secure way of transferring information
  • Video calls can be taken on common devices like smartphones or laptops
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16
Q

What is downward communication?

A

Communication from senior employees to junior employees down the chain of command

17
Q

What is upward communication?

A

Communication from junior employees to line managers and senior employees up the chain of command

18
Q

What is horizontal communication?

A

Communication between employees at the same level of organisation

19
Q

What is decentralisation?

A

Decentralisation allows all employees working in all areas of the business to make decisions

20
Q

What is centralisation?

A

Centralisation occurs when a small number of senior managers in a business make all the important decisions.