organisation and management

Question 1

benefits of an organisational structure

Answer 1

• the chart shows how everybody is linked together in the organisation, all employees are aware of which communication channel is used to reach them with messages and instructions
• every individual can see their own position in the organisation, they can identify who they are accountable to and who they have authority over, employees can see who they should take orders from
• it shows the links and relationship between different departments within the organisation
• everyone is in a department and this gives them a sense of belonging

Question 2

chain of command vs. span of control

Answer 2

• communication is quicker and more accurate. Each message has fewer levels to pass through before reaching the intended person
• top managers are less remote from the lower level of the hierarchy, these top managers should be more in touch with people below them as there are fewer management levels to get to know
• spans of control will be wider, this means that each manager is responsible for more subordinates:
• if superiors have more people to manage, it will encourage managers to delegate more
• there will be less direct control of each worker and they will feel more trusted and they will be able to take more decisions by themselves.

Question 3

functions of management

Answer 3

• planning: preparing for the future by setting aims and targets, sense of direction, prepares for resources
• organising: effectively organising people and resources to help achieve aims
• coordinating: bringing people together and ensuring everyone is working towards the same goal
• commanding: guiding, leading and supervising to make sure targets and deadlines are met
• controlling: evaluating progress

Question 4

roles of effective manager

Answer 4

• provide motivation
• offer guidance
• lead by example
• effective production methods
• increase profitability

Question 5

qualities of effective managers

Answer 5

• intelligent
• self confident
• determined to achieve goals
• motivating and enthusiastic
• good communicators

Question 6

benefits for manager of delegation

Answer 6

• managers cannot do every job themselves, by delegating, they can concentrate on other important management functions
• managers are less likely to make mistakes if some of the tasks are performed by their subordinates
• managers can measure the success of their staff more easily and they can see how well they have done in performing the tasks delegated to them

Question 7

benefits for subordinate of delegation

Answer 7

• the work becomes more interesting and rewarding
• the employee feels more important and believes that trust is being put in them to perform a job well
• delegation helps to train workers and they can then make progress in the organisation, giving them career opportunities

Question 8

why some managers may not delegate

Answer 8

• risk of losing job to subordinate
• work may not meet expected standard
• if subordinate fails they are still responsible

Question 9

advantages of autocratic leadership

Answer 9

• quick decision making, for example, during a crisis

Question 10

disadvantages of autocratic leadership

Answer 10

• no opportunity for employee input into key decisions, which can be demotivating

Question 11

advantages of democratic leadership

Answer 11

• better decisions could result from consulting with employees and using their experience and ideas – as well as being a motivating factor

Question 12

disadvantages of democratic leadership

Answer 12

• unpopular decisions, such as making workers redundant, could not effectively be made using this style of leadership

Question 13

advantages of laissez faire leadership

Answer 13

• encourages employees to show creativity and responsibility

Question 14

disadvantages of laissez faire leadership

Answer 14

• unlikely to be appropriate in organisations where a consistent and clear decision-making structure is needed

Question 15

advantages to employees of trade union

Answer 15

• strength in numbers when negotiating with employers
• improved conditions of employment, for example, rates of pay, holidays and hours of work
• improved environment where people work, for example, health and safety, noise, heating
• improved benefits for members who are not working because they are sick, retired or have been made redundant
• improved job satisfaction by encouraging training
• advice and/or financial support if a member thinks that they have been unfairly dismissed or made redundant, have received unfair treatment, or have been asked to do something that is not part of their job
• benefits that have been negotiated or provided for union members such as discounts in certain shops, provision of sporting facilities or clubs
• trade unions often meet government officials to influence policies for the benefit of workers
• more secure employment where there is a closed shop

Question 16

disadvantages to employer of trade union

Answer 16

• it costs money to be a member
• workers may be required to take industrial action even if they don’t agree

Question 17

advantages to employee of trade union

Answer 17

• they can help improve communications between workers and management
• wage agreements will be easier to negotiate with a trade union than with many individual workers

Question 18

disadvantages to employee of trade union

Answer 18

• trade unions can organise strikes if they do not receive the pay levels and work conditions they demand
• wages are likely to be higher – adding to business costs – when many employees are trade union members