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By N2H




Span of Control In Organisations

December 11, 2007

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ORGANISATION

  • An organization is a deliberate social grouping created to pursue specific objectives.

  • It has a structure and order

  • It can be formal or informal organization.

 

Formal Organisation

A formal organization is characterized by

  • Planned division of responsibility

  • Power centers which control its efforts

  • They have an explicit hierarchy in a well defined structure

  • Specification and communication channels are also well defined.

 

 

The scalar chain: (Chain of command): This is the term used to describe the management hierarchy i.e. chain of superiors from the lowest to the highest rank e.g. Formal communication runs up and down the lines of authority

Span of Control (SOC)

The number of subordinates directly working under a superior in an organization e.g. if a manager has 5 subordinates his SOC is 5. If there are few subordinates working directly under a superior the SOC is said to be narrow.

A narrow SOC offers:

  • tight control and close supervision

  • Lower information overload which leads to more time to plan.

  • Better coordination of subordinate activities

  • Better communication with subordinates

  • Responsibility in decision making

A wide SOC offers:

  • Greater decision making authority for subordinates

  • Loss control, but perhaps greater motivation through job satisfaction.

Tall and Fat Organisation

  • Tall organization: This is one in which in relation to its size has a large number of levels of management hierarchy.

  • Flat organization: One in which in relation to its size has a smaller number of hierarchy levels.

  • A tall organization implies a narrow SOC and a Flat Organisation implies a wide SOC.

IT has of late become core in operations of an enterprise due to a number of reasons:

  • The declining cost of computers

  • The improved performance of computers

  • Development of communication technology that enables geographical boundaries to be overcome.

  • Development of networking technologies that enables several machines to be connected together and achieve the power of large machines.

This has had a profound impact on corporate cultures

Computers have always produced information but only a select few people had access to a limited amount of information. Today timely information can be made available and readily accessible to those who need it whether at operational or executive levels.

It has taken a center stage in many companies.

The world has rapidly become an information society. The way we obtain and use information has forever changed the way we as a society go about the routine living of internet, home banking, ATMs, point of sale systems etc which have all benefited mankind.

On the downside the emergence of IT has raised serious social issues e.g.

 

  • Personal information is more accessible and therefore more vulnerable to abuse.

  • Increase in white collar crime

  • A computer control robot can replace several workers

  • Corruption of morals e.g. through the internet.


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Written by admin · Filed Under Organisations 

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