Management & Communication in Different Structures Flashcards

All 9 cards in this deck

What is delayering?

Removing layers of management from a business to make its structure more flat.

State two reasons why a business uses delayering.

To reduce costs (fewer managers/supervisors employed) and to improve communication (it reduces the chain of command).

What effect does delayering have on managers' spans of control and on delegation?

Spans of control get wider and there is more opportunity for delegation from senior management.

What is a centralised management structure?

A structure where decisions are made at the top of the business or in head office and passed down the chain of command.

What is a decentralised management structure?

A structure where decisions are made by managers and subordinates further down the chain of command.

Give one benefit and one drawback of centralised decision making.

Benefit: consistency and clear direction/accountability across the business. Drawback: it can demotivate employees and be slow to respond to change.

Give one benefit and one drawback of decentralised decision making.

Benefit: decisions suit the local area and can be made quickly. Drawback: less consistency and a risk of ineffective decisions by lower-level managers.

How does a long chain of command affect communication in a business?

Messages are slower to travel and can be distorted as they pass through many layers.

Give one argument in favour of a business creating a taller structure by adding supervisor/assistant manager roles.

It rewards existing staff with promotion and higher pay, helping staff retention, and allows closer monitoring of employees.