Section 2 Flashcards
Organizational structure
The internal formal framework of a business that shows the way in which management is organized and linked together, and how authority is passed through the organization
Functional structure
Departments have clearly defined roles and responsibilities in a specialist area such as marketing, finance, HR, or operations
Functional manager
Senior employee who has authority over a complete organization unit
Hierarchical structure
A structure consisting of multiple levels in which all members of the organization, apart from one are subordinate to someone else
Level of hierarchy
A stage of the organizational structure where all personal have equal status and authority
Span of control
The number of subordinate employees directly accountable to the manager
Chain of command
This is the route through which authority from the chief executive and board of directors is passed down through an organization
Divisional organization structure
A structure that organizes the activities of a business around geographical areas or product groups
Delayering
Removal of one or more of the levels of hierarchy from an organizational structure
Matrix structure
An organizational structure that creates project teams that cut across traditional functional departments
Delegation
Passing authority down the organizational hierarchy
Accountability
The obligation of the individual to account for and explain their actions and to disclose the results of their work honestly
Control
To measure and supervise an employee’s performance
Authority
The power to give orders and make decisions
Centralisation
Keeping all the important decision-making powers within head office or the centre of the organization
Decentralization
Decision-making powers are passed down the hierarchy to empower subordinates and area/product managers
Line manager
Managers who have direct authority over people, decisions and resources within the hierarchy of an organization
Staff manager
Managers who, as specialists, provide support, information and assistance to senior managers
Effective communication
The exchange of information between people or groups, with feedback
Communication methods
The media used to communicate messages
Visual communication
Conveying information or ideas in forms that can be seen
Spoken communication
Sending messages by word of mouth between two or more people
Written communication
Any type of message that makes use of written words
Electronic communication
Sending messages using media such as computers, email or video conference
Information overload
The receipt of too much information, preventing important messages being identified and acted upon
Formal communication channels
The official communication networks and routes used within an organization
One way communication
Messages sent in one direction, from sender to receiver, with no feedback
Two way communication
Messages sent between 2 or more people involving the transmission of messages that encourage response and feedback
Vertical communication
When people from different levels in a hierarchy communicate with each other
Horizontal communication
When people on the same level of the hierarchy communicate with each other
Communication barriers
Reasons why communication fails
Informal communication
Unofficial channels of communication that exist between informal groups within an organization
Leadership
The art of motivating a group of people towards achieving a common objective
Informal leader
A person who has no formal authority but has the respect of colleagues and some power over them
Emotional intelligence (EI)
The ability to understand one’s own emotions, and those of others, to achieve better business performance
Emotional quotient (EQ)
The level of a person’s emotional intelligence as recorded in a standardized test
HRM Strategy
A long-term plan for the management of an organization’s HR
Soft HRM
An approach to managing employees that focuses on their development so that they reach self-fulfillment and are motivated to work hard and stay with the business
Hard HRM
An approach to managing employees that focuses on cutting costs
Full time employment contract
Permanent employment contract that is for completing a working week
Permanent employment contract
A contract that employs a worker unless they are dismissed, made redundant or decide to leave the organization
Temporary contact
The contract is only offered for a fixed point of time, such as six months. The contract can be renewed, but the employer doesn’t need to do this
Part-time contract
Workers are only contracted to work for a certain number of hours each week (less than a full-time working week)
Zero-hours contract
Employment contract that doesn’t guarantee minimum number of hours per week, but the worker is expected to be available when called by the employer
Gig economy
An employment mix in which temporary flexible jobs are common and workers are hired as independent contractors or freelance employee (Also called contract labor)
Flexible employment contract
A contract that allows employees more control over their work-life balance, including options to work from home, flexible start and finish times, to work part time or job share
Flexitime arrangement
A flexible way of working that allows employees to fit their working hours around their working hours around their individual needs, and accommodate other commitments outside of work
Home working
When an employee works from home, often for a specific number of days per week, but keeps contact with office by means of modern IT communications/teleworking
Annualized hours contract
A contract offering a specific number of hours of work over the whole year, but with some flexibility about when those hours are worked
Job sharing
A work schedule in which two employees voluntarily share responsibilities of one full time job. They receive a salary and benefits on a pro-rata basis
Compressed working hours
The number of hours per week of a full-time job, but worked in fewer days (eg. 4/10: working 4 days for 10 hours)
Shift work
Work that takes place on a schedule outside the traditional 9am-5pm day. It can involve evening or night shifts, early morning shifts and rotating shifts
Absenteeism
A measure of the rate of workforce absence as a proportion of the employees total
