ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · The formal and informal business organisation
Which of the following factors would most justify a WIDER span of control for a supervisor?
A wider span of control is justified when subordinates are highly trained, motivated and do similar routine tasks, because they need little supervision. Complex non-routine work and dispersed sites both require more manager involvement and so favour a narrower span.
- ASubordinates perform complex, varied and non-routine tasks requiring frequent guidance
- BSubordinates are highly trained, motivated and perform similar routine tasksCorrect
- CSubordinates are geographically dispersed across several sites
Explanation
Wider spans suit staff who need little supervision: skilled, motivated and doing similar routine work. Complex varied tasks and geographical dispersion both increase supervision demands and favour a narrower span.
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