ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Business organisational structure
Which of the following factors would normally allow a manager to supervise a WIDER span of control effectively?
A wider span is workable when subordinates are well trained, do similar routine tasks and work close together, because they need little supervision or coordination. Complex, varied or dispersed work demands more manager time and so favours a narrower span.
- ASubordinates perform complex, varied, non-routine tasks and need frequent guidance
- BSubordinates are highly trained, perform similar routine tasks and are located close togetherCorrect
- CSubordinates are geographically dispersed and work on unrelated projects
Explanation
Wider spans are workable when subordinates are skilled, doing similar routine work and are co-located, because little supervision is needed. Complex, varied work and dispersion require more manager time, so they favour narrower spans.
Did you get it right without looking?
One question tells you little. A timed set on Business organisational structure shows your real accuracy, how long you take and where you lose marks.
More Business organisational structure questions
- Which of the following is a potential benefit to a business of its informal organisation?
- Zeta Ltd has 400 staff in a hierarchy. A consultant recommends widening spans of control throughout the business. Which is the most likely d…
- A publishing group organises itself into separate divisions for Books, Magazines and Digital Media. Each division has its own marketing, pro…
- A retailer wants to respond quickly to local customer needs by giving regional units decisions over pricing and stock, while head office set…
- In Mintzberg's model, a company's work-study analysts, accountants who design budgeting systems and quality planners belong to which part of…
- A small start-up is run by its founder, who personally makes nearly all decisions and directly supervises a handful of staff. Which Mintzber…