Unit 2: Chapter 7 Flashcards
What is an organisational structure?
levels of management and division of responsibilities within an organisation presented in an organisation chart with many levels of hierarchy
What is an organisation chart?
a diagram that outlines the internal management structure
What are levels of hierarchy?
levels of management in an organisation from highest to lowest. the managers and supervisors and other employees who are given similar level of responsibility in an organisation
What are the advantages of an organisational chart?
shows how everybody is linked together in an organisation, all employees known which communication channel is used, can see your position and identify who they are accountable to and have authority over, links relationships with departments in an organisation and has a sense of belonging in a department
What is chain of command?
the structure in an organisation which allows instructions to be passed down from a senior management to lower levels management.
Describe a tall structure and wide structure
tall structure: long chain of command, many layers of hierarchy and narrow span of control
wide structure: short chain of command, less levels of hierarchy and wide span of control
What is delayering?
removing a level of management in order to make a wider structure
What are the advantages of a short chain of command?
quick and accurate communication as less levels of hierarchy to pass through, the managers are not that much higher so can be in touch with everyone, wider spans of control so increases delegation as managers can’t do everything and there is less direct control of each worker so they can make more personal decisions and increase job satisfaction
What are the roles of management?
planning, organising (delegation), coordinating, commanding, controlling
What are the functions of management?
gives sense of control and direction, coordination between departments, control employees, organisation of resources
What is delegation?
giving a subordinate the authority to perform particular tasks, if the subordinate does bad on the task the manager must take responsibility.
reduction in supervisors direct control as tasks delegates and increasing trust in workers
What are the advantages of delegation for the manager?
can’t do everything themselves so by delegating you can focus on important tasks, less likely to make mistakes as they have less on their plate and can measure success of staff when performing delegated tasks
What are the advantages of delegation for the subordinate?
work becomes more interesting and rewarding, employee feels recognised as manager trusts them, helps train them for future opportunities and make progress in the organisation
Why might a manager not delegate?
reluctant to trust workers with tasks, want to control everything themselves, subordinates might do a better job than them and make them insecure
What should a good manager do?
motivate, give guidance, inspire, manage resources, keep costs in control, increase business profitability
What are leadership styles?
different approaches to dealing with people and making decisions when in position of authority
autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire
What is autocratic leadership and its pros and cons?
where managers expect to be in charge of the business and have orders followed
quick decision makes, especially in crisis
no employee input, can be demotivating to employees
What is democratic leadership and its pros and cons?
gets other employees involved in the decision making process
better decisions when employees consulted and motivates them
some decisions may not be suitable to consult employees (e.g. redundancy and dismissal)
What is laissez-faire leadership and its pros and cons?
makes broad objectives to employees and leave them to organise their own work
encourages employees to use creativity and responsibility
organisations need clear structures, employees may slack and not be productive
What is a trade union?
a group of employees who have joined together to ensure their interests are protected. improves aspects of their work environment, it is a type of pressure group
What is a closed shop?
when all employees must be part of the same trade union
What is industrial action?
when workers disrupt production and put pressure on managers to agree with their demands
What are the disadvantages of employees being union members?
costs money to be member, workers may be required to take industrial actions even when they don’t agree
What are strikes?
trade unions organise strikes, where everyone refuses to work if they don’t receive the conditions they demand
What are the effects of employees being union members?
strength in numbers when negotiating with employees, improve conditions of employment, improve work environment, improve benefits when sick tired and redundant, improve job satisfaction, advice/financial support when unfairly treated, fringe benefits, influence policies for benefit of workers when they meet with government officials, more secure employment when it’s a closed shop
