organization structure & employees

Question 1

define organizational charts

Answer 1

diagrams showing job roles in a business and their relationships

Question 2

what is span of control

Answer 2

the number of people a person is directly responsible for

Question 3

explain a centralized structure

Answer 3

decisions are made by top-level management and passed down the chain of command

Question 4

explain a decentralized structure

Answer 4

decision-making starts at the lower levels and moves up the chain of command

Question 5

describe the role of supervisors

Answer 5

ensure work is done on time and with quality, have authority over operatives/general staff, and are accountable to managers

Question 5

list the roles of directors

Answer 5

appointed by owners/shareholders, led by a chairperson, accountable to the owner, and have authority over managers

Question 6

list what organizational charts show

Answer 6

how the business is split into functions or departments, who is responsible for whom, employee roles and job titles

Question 7

what are the responsibilities of managers

Answer 7

problem-solving, decision-making, and using resources effectively. accountable to directors and in charge of supervisors

Question 8

who are operatives

Answer 8

skilled workers in production, accountable to supervisors, and have authority over general workers

Question 8

describe general staff

Answer 8

unskilled workers with lower wages, perform various tasks, and can be promoted

Question 9

define chain of command

Answer 9

the route through which orders are passed in the hierarchy

Question 10

how does the span of control affect communication

Answer 10

wider spans lead to formal communication, narrower spans allow friendlier, informal communication

Question 11

what are flat organizational structures

Answer 11

structures with fewer layers of management

Question 12

list advantages of flat structures

Answer 12

better communication, lower management costs, friendlier control

Question 13

list disadvantages of flat structures

Answer 13

fewer promotion opportunities

Question 14

list advantages of tall structures

Answer 14

clear promotion routes

Question 14

what are tall organizational structures

Answer 14

structures with many management layers

Question 15

define delegation

Answer 15

transferring work from a manager to a subordinate while retaining responsibility

Question 16

list disadvantages of tall structures

Answer 16

poor communication, higher management costs, formal control

Question 16

list disadvantages of delegation

Answer 16

employees may view it as extra work

Question 17

list advantages of delegation

Answer 17

motivates employees, saves managers’ time

Question 18

list advantages of centralized structures

Answer 18

easier coordination and control, senior managers control resources, experienced decision-makers

Question 18

list disadvantages of centralized structures

Answer 18

demotivated employees with no authority, less creativity and fewer ideas

Question 19

list advantages of decentralized structures

Answer 19

autonomy motivates workers, faster decision-making, employees share ideas

Question 20

list disadvantages of decentralized structures

Answer 20

senior managers lose control of resources, employees may lack decision-making ability, extra responsibility may not be welcomed