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People in Organisations

Organisational structures and the chain of command

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Organisational design, authority in an organisation and responsibility in an organisation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is meant by organisational design?

Key term

Define authority in an organisation.

Key term

Define responsibility in an organisation.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is meant by organisational design?

    Model answer

    Organisational design is the way a business arranges jobs, authority and reporting lines. The design decides who answers to whom and who decides what.

  2. 2

    Define authority in an organisation.

    Model answer

    Authority is the right to give instructions and to commit the business's resources. Authority attaches to a post rather than to a person.

  3. 3

    Define responsibility in an organisation.

    Model answer

    Responsibility is the obligation to carry out a task and to account for the result. Responsibility cannot be passed on, even when the task is delegated.

  4. 4

    What is meant by the chain of command?

    Model answer

    The chain of command is the line of authority running down from the top of a business. Instructions pass down the chain and accountability passes back up.

  5. 5

    What is meant by the span of control?

    Model answer

    The span of control is the number of subordinates reporting directly to one manager. A wide span means many direct subordinates.

  6. 6

    Explain the relationship between the span of control and the number of levels in a business.

    Model answer

    A business with wide spans needs fewer levels to cover the same workforce. Narrow spans produce more levels and a taller structure.

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