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Questions and Answers
What is a primary advantage of a functional organizational structure?
What is a primary advantage of a functional organizational structure?
Which disadvantage is commonly associated with a functional structure?
Which disadvantage is commonly associated with a functional structure?
What can be directly assessed and directed towards departmental goals in a functional structure?
What can be directly assessed and directed towards departmental goals in a functional structure?
What is a potential impact of workers focusing primarily on their departments?
What is a potential impact of workers focusing primarily on their departments?
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What is typically true about management authority in a functional organizational structure?
What is typically true about management authority in a functional organizational structure?
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What is the primary purpose of the line structure in an organization?
What is the primary purpose of the line structure in an organization?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the line structure?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the line structure?
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What is a disadvantage of the line structure when it comes to specialized tasks?
What is a disadvantage of the line structure when it comes to specialized tasks?
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How does the line structure benefit workers in an organization?
How does the line structure benefit workers in an organization?
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Why might the line structure become challenging as an organization expands?
Why might the line structure become challenging as an organization expands?
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In which types of organizations is the line structure mostly utilized?
In which types of organizations is the line structure mostly utilized?
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What best describes the flow of instructions in a line structure?
What best describes the flow of instructions in a line structure?
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Which of the following is a key advantage of the line structure?
Which of the following is a key advantage of the line structure?
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What is the primary aim of a line and staff structure within an organization?
What is the primary aim of a line and staff structure within an organization?
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Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of combining line and staff structures?
Which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of combining line and staff structures?
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What is a key advantage of line and staff organization for line managers?
What is a key advantage of line and staff organization for line managers?
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In a functional structure, what is the reporting line for department staff?
In a functional structure, what is the reporting line for department staff?
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Which problem can arise from the presence of specialist staff in a line and staff structure?
Which problem can arise from the presence of specialist staff in a line and staff structure?
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What is a likely consequence of staff workers reporting directly to management instead of line managers?
What is a likely consequence of staff workers reporting directly to management instead of line managers?
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What aspect does a functional structure not focus on?
What aspect does a functional structure not focus on?
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What occurs when line managers must respond to the advice of specialist staff?
What occurs when line managers must respond to the advice of specialist staff?
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Study Notes
Organizational Structure Types
- Different organizational structures exist, each with unique features, advantages, and disadvantages.
- These structures include scalar/military, line and staff, and functional.
- Scalar/military structure features direct vertical authority relationships, flowing from top to bottom. Workers are assigned tasks by supervisors. This design is used by smaller businesses.
- Line-and-staff structure combines line and staff relationships to show the organization’s workflow. Line managers work with specialist staff in order to maintain the organization.
- Functional structure organizes workers based on their specialized functions (e.g., production, marketing, finance). Every department head is in charge of all activities.
Organizational Structure Details
- In a scalar/military organizational structure, authority flows from top to bottom, and staff are assigned jobs by supervisors.
- The supervisor has ultimate responsibility for the assigned tasks and delegates to take advantage of worker skills.
- This is a simple structure appropriate for smaller organizations, like sole proprietorships or partnerships.
- Clear lines of authority are defined, and instructions flow easily upward and downward.
- The structure is suitable for smaller companies and easier to implement.
- However, if the organization expands, dealing with more aspects of the job can be challenging without specialist staff to assist.
- Line managers receive advice from specialists.
- Specialists handle tasks that impact line managers.
- This structure works best when dealing with specialized roles and tasks.
- Staff are specifically designed to assist line managers and deal with particular problems and issues in the organization.
- Specialists assist in handling roles/tasks in conjunction with the line manager.
Other Key Concepts
- Staff organizations assist line organizations when the latter prove inadequate.
- Staff is responsible for specialized support or activities.
- Staff is not involved in the main flow of work.
- When an organization grows, staff can be assigned to help support decision-making and other operational aspects.
- These organizational structures combine to assist in handling overall operations and management in the company.
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Description
Test your knowledge on different types of organizational structures, including scalar/military, line-and-staff, and functional. Understand their features, advantages, and disadvantages to effectively apply them in business contexts.
