Improving Organisational Structures

Question 1

Define delegation

Answer 1

Is the passing of authority down the organisation

Question 2

Advantages of delegation

Answer 2

1. Saves money if workers are doing the work of managers
2. Get more work done therefore saves time and money
3. Efficient use of time so we can prioritise
4. Businesses could grow because of people’s decisions so speeds up decision making and take advantage of opportunities

Question 3

Disadvantages of delegation

Answer 3

1. People could abuse their authority and make decisions without recourse to managers
2. Some managers may not know how to control or are very controlling
3. You have to be able to trust staff and they could stop working as hard
4. May give power to the wrong person - too inexperienced

Question 4

Define organisation

Answer 4

Is a body which represents a particular interest

Question 5

Reasons for hierarchy

Answer 5

1. Aids co-ordination so that people receive the same message
2. Aids control as the manager is responsible for giving tasks to its workers
3. Gives people an incentive in many organisations there are many layers as a result there are lots of promotional opportunities
4. Aids planning by having a hierarchy we can apportion work and responsibility for projects
5. Make people accountable since staff have titles and remits of responsibility this makes them accountable

Question 6

Weaknesses of organisational hierarchies

Answer 6

1. Expensive to set up and maintain - costly because of layers of management
2. Adds to bureaucracy - decision become slower - since communication is going through many layers
3. Communication is generally one - way (generally downwards)
4. Slow to react to change - most people have a self interest in preserving the hierarchy so therefore they dislike change

Question 7

Define span of control

Answer 7

Is the number of subordinates answerable directly to a manger

Question 8

Advantages of narrow span of control

Answer 8

1. Greater control of the organisation
2. Tighter planning
3. Less responsibility than a wide span of control
4. Time to plan
5. More promotional opportunities

Question 9

Advantages of wide span of control

Answer 9

1. Increase empowerment for sub-ordinates
2. They do not feel so tied to the organisation
3. Become more self reliant
4. Can be more flexible

Question 10

Define delayering

Answer 10

Is the process of reducing the number of layers of the hierarchy

Question 11

Advantages of delayering

Answer 11

1. It is often seen as a method of increasing the participation of workers
2. It could lead to increased responsibility
3. It could lead to increased motivation on the part of the promoted
4. The top would seem to be more accessible
5. That there would be the growth of the matrix management

Question 12

Disadvantages of delayering

Answer 12

1. It is de-motivating to those that have lost their elevated positions
2. It could be seen as downsizing if it is used as part of a cost cutting exercise
3. It is seen as giving staff too much responsibility

Question 13

What are workforce roles

Answer 13

Management and supervisory roles within the hierarchy

Question 14

What are work loads

Answer 14

The tasks an individual employee has to complete within a period

Question 15

What are job allocations

Answer 15

The way in which tasks are allocated to certain jobs