Organisation and Society

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Questions and Answers

What is an organization structure defined as?

A way of dividing labour into tasks and responsibilities

A process of coordinating activities and setting up control spans

A sum total of ways in which labour is divided into distinct tasks and responsibilities (correct)

A mechanism for allocating rewards and punishments

What is one of the achievements of an organization structure?

Improving employee morale

Reducing the scope of individual responsibilities

Mechanism for allocating tasks and responsibilities (correct)

Eliminating hierarchies and work groups

What is the basis for creating organization structures?

Type of industry the organization is in

Number of departments in the organization

Arrange of activities in the organization (correct)

Size of the organization

What is NOT a definition of an organization structure?

A way of reducing employee workload (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an achievement of an organization structure?

Increasing employee salaries (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does an organization structure help to determine?

The extent of individual responsibilities (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an organization structure used for?

Planning and executing activities (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an achievement of an organization structure?

Centralising and decentralising activities (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary needs for an organisation in society?

To serve society and operate within the rules and values of society (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is another reason why organisations are needed?

To respond to social needs and make conditions better (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of organisations to individuals?

To bring satisfaction and self-fulfillment to employees through efficiency and control (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is another reason why organisations are essential?

To achieve objectives that could not be achieved by individuals (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the roles of organisations in society?

To store and develop knowledge and pass it on to the next generations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the reasons why organisations are necessary?

To preserve and extend knowledge, a process that is vital to civilization (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a project structure?

To undertake periodic specialized work (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a matrix structure?

Combines the merits of project structure and functional specialization (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an organization chart?

A diagram showing the pattern of authority within an organization (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the purposes of an organization chart?

To determine employee status within the management hierarchy (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of organization chart is characterized by a division into different levels with a top-to-bottom line of command?

Hierarchical (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of using an organization chart?

To show the lines of communication (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of a matrix structure?

Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of using an organization chart in a firm?

To define the system of accountability (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of organization structure is characterized by few or no levels?

Flat or Horizontal (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of an organization chart?

It does not show developed social relationships (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of span of control?

The number of employees a manager supervises directly (D) Signup and view all the answers

What are the two basic types of span of control?

Wide and narrow span (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a flat or horizontal organization structure?

Few or no levels of management (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a determinant of span of control?

Not provided in the content (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of an organization chart?

It easily becomes outdated (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why may an organization chart demotivate workers?

It shows their rank as lower than expected (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that influences the span of control in an organization?

The nature of subordinates’ work (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a wide span of control?

Few levels of hierarchy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of a narrow span of control?

Effective coordination of subordinates' work (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of a wide span of control?

High team spirit (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a narrow span of control?

Many levels of hierarchy (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of a wide span of control?

Simple tasks are performed effectively (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a result of a narrow span of control?

Employees aspire to rise in status (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a factor that influences the management style?

The nature of subordinates' work (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Need for Organisation

Organisations serve society and operate within social rules and values.
They respond to social needs, aiming to make conditions better, safer, cheaper, and enhance the quality of life.
Organisations achieve objectives that cannot be achieved by individuals, requiring coordination of individual efforts.
They preserve and extend knowledge, storing and developing it for future generations.
Organisations provide careers, work, and livelihood, bringing satisfaction and self-fulfillment to employees through efficiency and control.

Organisation Structure

Definition: An arrangement of lines of authority and communication within a firm, allocating duties and responsibilities.
It is a supporting framework designed for planning and executing activities of a firm.
Organisation structure achieves: • Creation of hierarchies and work groups • Mechanism for allocating tasks and responsibilities • Coordination of activities • Setting up of control span • Centralising and decentralising activities • Determining the extent of individual responsibilities

Organisation Structure - Forms

Project structure: Suitable for undertaking periodic, specialised work and development of a unit.
Matrix structure: Combines the merits of project structure and functional specialisation with full-time, specialised units capable of handling more than one project at a time.

Organisation Chart

Definition: A diagram showing the pattern of authority within an organisation, or a diagram showing the formal structure of an organisation and the interrelationships of its parts, positions, and jobs.
Purpose: • Define system of accountability of a firm • Determine employee status within the management hierarchy • Facilitate organisational design • Prepare management succession plan • Show lines of communication • Show span of control of superiors or management staff
Types: • Hierarchical: Division into different levels with top-to-bottom line of command • Flat or Horizontal: Few or no levels, used in small or individual unit organisations • Matrix: Same skill groups reporting to their respective managers
Limitations: • Does not show developed social relationships • Relationships shown are often simplistic and do not reflect actual complex relationships • Easily becomes outdated and changes are often resisted • Does not show management style • De-motivates workers who feel their ranks are lower than expected

Span of Control

Definition: The number of employees or immediate subordinates controlled by and reporting to a superior.
Determinants: • Nature of subordinates’ work • Skill, capabilities, qualifications, experience of subordinates and manager • Availability and use of ICT • Subordinates’ knowledge of formal work rules and procedures • Management style and organisation approaches • Depth of organisation hierarchy
Wide Span of Control: • Has more than six horizontal blocks of work functions • Flat structure with few levels • Subordinates are well trained and enthusiastically carry out instructions • Effective for simple tasks and in organisations with excellent communication
Narrow Span of Control: • Has a maximum of six horizontal blocks of work functions • Tall structure with many levels • Superiors are able to focus and give full attention to the needs of immediate subordinates • Facilitates and enhances specialisation of function, easy vertical communication, and effective coordination of subordinates’ work

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Description

This quiz covers the need for organisations in society, their role in responding to social needs, and achieving objectives that individuals cannot.