Management Structures Flashcards
What is management structure?
The ways in which parts of an organisation such as management, employees and resources are formally arranged to achieve its objectives. The purpose of management structures is to arrange work tasks in logical sequences to avoid duplications, waste and inefficiencies.
What is management hierarchy?
Management hierarchy is an organisational structure that provides increasing authority to managers at higher levels of the hierarchy. It is characterised by rigid lines of communication, centralised control with all strategic decisions made by senior management, clear organisational positions, roles and responsibilities, and a chain of command and span of control showing who is responsible to whom.
rigid lines of communication
The arrangement that provides increasing authority at higher levels of the hierarchy.
What are the levels of management in management hierarchies and what are their responsibilities? What are the management titles in each level?
Top/senior/executive management - setting vision, mission statements and strategic planning (long term); board of directors, chief executive officer
Middle management - setting department/divisional objectives, tactical (medium term) planning; department head, divisional head,
Frontline/supervisory/management team - setting sectional/sub departmental objectives, responsible for operational/day to day planning; frontline manager, supervisor
What is chain of command/line authority?
Chain of command is a system that determines the responsibility, supervision and accountability of members of the organisation. It is a hierarchy of authority that dictates who is in charge of whom and of whom permission must be asked.
What is unity of command?
Unity of command is a system in which each employee within an organisation reports to only one supervisor.
Helps reduce confusion by preventing employees from receiving orders from too many managers.
What is span of control?
Span of control is the number of people for whom a manager is directly responsible.
What are flatter organisational structures?
Flatter organisational structures are a type of management structure that:
reduces the number of levels of management
gives greater responsibility to individuals in the organisation
emphasises teamwork and shared responsibility for achieving objectives.
How do flatter organisational structures occur?
Rapid advances in technology coupled with significant pressures on organisations from increased competition due to the forces of globalisation, have resulted in flatter management structures. Downsizing has also caused flatter management structures due to fewer middle management positions.
