organization structure & employees Flashcards
define organizational charts
diagrams showing job roles in a business and their relationships
what is span of control
the number of people a person is directly responsible for
explain a centralized structure
decisions are made by top-level management and passed down the chain of command
explain a decentralized structure
decision-making starts at the lower levels and moves up the chain of command
describe the role of supervisors
ensure work is done on time and with quality, have authority over operatives/general staff, and are accountable to managers
list the roles of directors
appointed by owners/shareholders, led by a chairperson, accountable to the owner, and have authority over managers
list what organizational charts show
how the business is split into functions or departments, who is responsible for whom, employee roles and job titles
what are the responsibilities of managers
problem-solving, decision-making, and using resources effectively. accountable to directors and in charge of supervisors
who are operatives
skilled workers in production, accountable to supervisors, and have authority over general workers
describe general staff
unskilled workers with lower wages, perform various tasks, and can be promoted
define chain of command
the route through which orders are passed in the hierarchy
how does the span of control affect communication
wider spans lead to formal communication, narrower spans allow friendlier, informal communication
what are flat organizational structures
structures with fewer layers of management
list advantages of flat structures
better communication, lower management costs, friendlier control
list disadvantages of flat structures
fewer promotion opportunities
list advantages of tall structures
clear promotion routes
what are tall organizational structures
structures with many management layers
define delegation
transferring work from a manager to a subordinate while retaining responsibility
list disadvantages of tall structures
poor communication, higher management costs, formal control
list disadvantages of delegation
employees may view it as extra work
list advantages of delegation
motivates employees, saves managers’ time
list advantages of centralized structures
easier coordination and control, senior managers control resources, experienced decision-makers
list disadvantages of centralized structures
demotivated employees with no authority, less creativity and fewer ideas
list advantages of decentralized structures
autonomy motivates workers, faster decision-making, employees share ideas
list disadvantages of decentralized structures
senior managers lose control of resources, employees may lack decision-making ability, extra responsibility may not be welcomed
