1.2.2
Types of Organisational Structures
Types of Organisational Structures
Types of Organisational Structures
As well as being centralised or decentralised, organisational structures can also be classified as tall or flat.


Tall organisational structures
Tall organisational structures
- A tall organisational structure is a hierarchy with a long chain of command (lots of layers) in the organisation.
- Usually, each manager has a smaller span of control (is responsible for a smaller number of employees), but lots of people are managers.


Flat organisational structures
Flat organisational structures
- A flat organisational structure means the opposite. There are fewer layers in the organisational hierarchy.
- This means that managers have a larger span of control (manage or are responsible for more employees).


Matrix organisational structures
Matrix organisational structures
- A matrix structure involves an employee reporting to more than one supervisor. For example, in a matrix structure, an employee may report to the manager of their function and to the manager of a certain product or service.
- Advantage of a matrix structure: it allows a business to bring together teams of expertise without having to break up or disrupt current teams of employees.
- Disadvantage of a matrix structure: A matrix structure can result in conflict if two managers are giving an employee different instructions.
1Exploring Business
1.1Features of Business Organisations
1.2Organisation of Businesses
1.3Business Environment
1.3.1External Influences
1.3.2Political & Legal Change
1.3.3Economic Environment
1.3.4Social & Technological Environment
1.3.5Lifestyle & Technological Environment
1.3.6Corporate Social Responsibility
1.3.7The Competitive Environment
1.3.8Innovation
1.3.9Risk & Uncertainty
1.3.10Porter's Five Forces
1.3.11SWOT Analysis
2Marketing Campaigns
2.1Marketing
3Business Finance
3.1Sources of Finance
3.2Financial Planning
3.3Financial Statements
4International Business
4.1Globalisation
4.2International Business
4.3International Economic Environment
4.4Factors Affecting International Business
5Principles of Management
5.1Management & Leadership
5.2Theories of Motivation
6Business Decision Making
6.1Business Principles & Practices
6.2Quality Management
6.3Human Resources
6.4Documents & Business Decisions
Jump to other topics
1Exploring Business
1.1Features of Business Organisations
1.2Organisation of Businesses
1.3Business Environment
1.3.1External Influences
1.3.2Political & Legal Change
1.3.3Economic Environment
1.3.4Social & Technological Environment
1.3.5Lifestyle & Technological Environment
1.3.6Corporate Social Responsibility
1.3.7The Competitive Environment
1.3.8Innovation
1.3.9Risk & Uncertainty
1.3.10Porter's Five Forces
1.3.11SWOT Analysis
2Marketing Campaigns
2.1Marketing
3Business Finance
3.1Sources of Finance
3.2Financial Planning
3.3Financial Statements
4International Business
4.1Globalisation
4.2International Business
4.3International Economic Environment
4.4Factors Affecting International Business
5Principles of Management
5.1Management & Leadership
5.2Theories of Motivation
6Business Decision Making
6.1Business Principles & Practices
6.2Quality Management
6.3Human Resources
6.4Documents & Business Decisions
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