ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Business organisational structure
A company has a very wide span of control at every management level. Which of the following is the most likely consequence?
A wide span of control produces a flatter structure with fewer management levels, but each manager has many subordinates and so cannot supervise them closely. Tall hierarchies and long scalar chains are the result of narrow spans, not wide ones.
- AA tall hierarchy with many levels and slow communication
- BA flatter structure, but managers may be unable to supervise subordinates closelyCorrect
- CLonger scalar chains, which reduce the autonomy of junior staff
Explanation
Wide spans mean each manager has many subordinates, so fewer levels are needed and the structure is flat. The cost is that supervision is less close. Tall hierarchies and long scalar chains result from narrow spans.
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