Unit 3 - 3.2 - Organisational Structures And Diffrent Ways Of Working Flashcards
What are the two types of organisational structures?
‘Tall’ and ‘flat’
These structures describe the hierarchy and layers of management within an organization.
Describe a tall organisational structure.
Has many layers of staff from top to bottom
In a tall structure, there are multiple levels of management, which can lead to a more controlled environment but may also slow down decision-making.
What is at the top of a tall organisational structure?
The board of directors
The board of directors is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the organization.
What is at the bottom of a tall organisational structure?
Shop-floor workers
These are the employees who perform the day-to-day operations and tasks in an organization.
How many layers are typically in a tall organisational structure?
Eight layers
This includes various levels of management and staff, from senior executives to operational workers.
What is organisation structure?
How people and departments are arranged within a business.
What are flat organisational structures characterized by?
A few layers, possibly as little as two or three
What is the highest level in a flat organisational structure?
Board of directors
In a flat organisational structure, what typically comes after the board of directors?
One layer of managers
What is the role of shop floor workers in a flat organisational structure?
They are the operational level of the structure
True or False: Flat organisational structures have many management layers.
False
What is a key advantage of a tall organizational structure?
There are clear lines of communication from the people at the top to the people at the bottom of the organisation.
What is another advantage of a tall organizational structure?
Managers tend to have only a few people that they are responsible for.
How does a tall structure affect employee motivation?
There will be opportunities for people to gain promotion within the organisation, which can be good for motivation.
What is a disadvantage of a tall organizational structure?
Subordinates may feel they are too controlled by their line manager, which can stifle motivation and creativity.
What is another disadvantage of a tall organizational structure?
Workers may only talk to immediate colleagues and may be less sympathetic or supportive to workers in other areas of the business.
What type of organizations are tall structures suitable for?
Tall structures suit large organisations, such as a large hospital.
What type of business tasks are tall structures suited for?
Tall structures suit non-creative businesses where workers perform limited, clear tasks, for example, a building company.
What is a key advantage of a flat structure in an organization?
Managers tend to delegate responsibilities to the workers they have responsibility for, which is good for motivation.
How does a flat structure benefit communication among workers?
Workers are likely to talk to a wider range of colleagues, so structure is good for generating ideas.
What is a disadvantage of a flat organizational structure?
There are not always clear lines of communication and some workers may miss out on information which would help them and the business.
What challenge might managers face in a flat structure?
Managers may have a large number of workers to oversee.
How can a flat structure impact promotion opportunities for workers?
Promotion opportunities may be few and may be unclear to workers, which may reduce motivation.
What type of businesses are flat structures suitable for?
Creative businesses, such as computer game design.