Organisational Structure Flashcards
1
Q
what is an organisational structure?
A
- the way in which a business arranged to carry out its activities
2
Q
what is authority?
A
- the power a person or group has to make decisions and give orders
3
Q
what is responsibility?
A
- the duties and obligations individuals or groups have within the business
4
Q
what are chains or command?
A
- the paths along which communication takes place and instructions or orders are passed down
5
Q
what does span of control mean?
A
- the number of people each manager is responsible for
6
Q
what does delegation mean?
A
- to pass authority and responsibility to others lower down in the hierarchy
7
Q
what is hierarchy?
A
- the organisational structure within a business outlining the layers of authority and responsibility
8
Q
what is decentralisation?
A
- where authority has been passed down to lower levels in the hierarchy for decision making rather than being concentrated at the top
9
Q
what is centralisation?
A
- where authority and decision-making power is concentrated at the top of the hierarchy
9
Q
what is empowerment?
A
- giving employees the power to control their own jobs, make decisions and implement their own ideas
- increased autonomy
10
Q
what is delayering?
A
- removing layers from an organisational structure
- results in a flatter organisational structure
- results in a wider span of control
11
Q
explain the features of a tall organisational structure
A
- long chain of command
- many layers of hierarchy
- narrow spans of control
12
Q
explain the features of a flat organisational structure
A
- short chain of command
- few levels of hierarchy
- wide spans of control
13
Q
what are 3 pros and 2 cons of flat organisational structures?
A
+ high motivation due to delegation
+ faster communication
+ decisions made faster and nearer to the ground
- loss of control
- different departments may not be working to the same objectives
