Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-1-organisational-structure

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [BTEC](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business.md) › [Business: BTEC Level 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3.md) › Organisational Structure

# Organisational Structure

Business: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 1.2.1

## Organisational Design

Organisational design involves making sure that an organisation is designed appropriately to increase its chances of meeting its aims and objectives. When leaders are planning the design of their organisation, they will consider several factors:

### Authority

![Authority](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/physics/3.0%20General%20wave%20properties/exclamation-point-2620923_640.jpg)

- Authority is linked to delegation. Delegation involves passing authority to employees further down in the hierarchy. 
 - Authority can motivate and empower employees and therefore increase productivity.

### Spans of control

![Spans of control](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/35dcca53-c058-47a7-ad0b-1d251d71ee78/scold-hand-finger-point-.png)

- Spans of control are the number of people who report directly to a supervisor or manager. 
 - Businesses with tall hierarchies have narrower spans of control so employees can be monitored more closely. 
 - Businesses with flat hierarchies have wider spans of control and it can be harder to monitor employees as closely as each manager will manage and lead a larger group of employees than in a business with a tall hierarchy.

### Hierarchies

![Hierarchies](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-10/dc5113fd-3993-42ad-84bc-887d345daa84/board-hierarchy-.jpg)

- Hierarchies are the levels and layers of management. Tall hierarchies have many layers of management and flat hierarchies have few levels. 
 - Communication can be more difficult in a tall hierarchy as there are more layers for the communication to pass through. 
 - Tall hierarchies provide promotional opportunities for employees as there are more layers and therefore a greater number of promotional opportunities throughout the business.

### Delegation

![Delegation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/a66a8e65-8566-4b75-ba0f-09c1dca1b8bc/business-man-computer-.jpg)

- Delegation refers to a manager passing responsibility or authority to an employee below them in the hierarchy. 
 - Delegation can reduce the workload of managers which allows them to focus on their own tasks. 
 - Delegation can empower and motivate employees and prepare them for promotional opportunities in the future. 
 - Delegation may require a business to invest in and provide employee training to ensure that employees have the necessary skills to complete a task.

### Centralisation and decentralisation

![Centralisation and decentralisation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/courseImages/chemistry/3.1.3%20Yield%20and%20atom%20economy/business-3021398_1280-min%20-%20Edited.jpg)

- Centralisation and decentralisation refer to the decision making power within the business and how this power is held by employees. 
 - In centralised businesses, decision making power is helped by a small number of people who make decisions and then share these with other staff. 
 - In decentralised businesses, decision making power is distributed throughout the business to staff with appropriate skills and expertise.

## Test yourself on Organisational Structure

- If authority motivates and empowers employees, what is the likely consequence for the business?
- Which of the following are true about businesses and their span of controls
- _The decision making power within the business and how this is held by employees_. Which of the following does this describe?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/f0389213-3369-45a4-8126-07b001bb9007/section/6c11d86d-8a01-4b78-a82c-dd0171ed5c70/session)

- Previous topic: [1.1.9 Influence of Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-9-influence-of-stakeholders.md)
- Next topic: [1.2.2 Types of Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-2-types-of-organisational-structures.md)

## Business: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma contents

### 1 Exploring Business
- 1.1 Features of Business Organisations
  - [1.1.1 Sole Traders & Partnerships](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-1-sole-traders-and-partnerships.md)
  - [1.1.2 Private & Public Limited Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-2-private-and-public-limited-companies.md)
  - [1.1.3 Types of Liability & Not-For-Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-3-types-of-liability-and-not-for-profits.md)
  - [1.1.4 Purposes of Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-4-purposes-of-businesses.md)
  - [1.1.5 Purposes of Businesses 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-5-purposes-of-businesses-2.md)
  - [1.1.6 The Different Economic Sectors](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-6-the-different-economic-sectors.md)
  - [1.1.7 Multinational Companies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-7-multinational-companies.md)
  - [1.1.8 Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-8-stakeholders.md)
  - [1.1.9 Influence of Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-1-9-influence-of-stakeholders.md)
- 1.2 Organisation of Businesses
  - [1.2.1 Organisational Structure](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-1-organisational-structure.md)
  - [1.2.2 Types of Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-2-types-of-organisational-structures.md)
  - [1.2.3 Business Aims & Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-3-business-aims-and-objectives.md)
  - [1.2.4 Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-4-business-aims.md)
  - [1.2.5 Business Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-2-5-business-objectives.md)
- 1.3 Business Environment
  - [1.3.1 External Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-1-external-influences.md)
  - [1.3.2 Political & Legal Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-2-political-and-legal-change.md)
  - [1.3.3 Economic Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-3-economic-environment.md)
  - [1.3.4 Social & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-4-social-and-technological-environment.md)
  - [1.3.5 Lifestyle & Technological Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-5-lifestyle-and-technological-environment.md)
  - [1.3.6 Corporate Social Responsibility](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-6-corporate-social-responsibility.md)
  - [1.3.7 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-7-the-competitive-environment.md)
  - [1.3.8 Innovation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-8-innovation.md)
  - [1.3.9 Risk & Uncertainty](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-9-risk-and-uncertainty.md)
  - [1.3.10 Porter's Five Forces](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-10-porters-five-forces.md)
  - [1.3.11 SWOT Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/1-3-11-swot-analysis.md)

### 2 Marketing Campaigns
- 2.1 Marketing
  - [2.1.1 Setting Marketing Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-1-setting-marketing-objectives.md)
  - [2.1.2 Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-2-customer-needs.md)
  - [2.1.3 The Market](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-3-the-market.md)
  - [2.1.4 Competition & The Market](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-4-competition-and-the-market.md)
  - [2.1.5 Consumer Behaviour](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-5-consumer-behaviour.md)
  - [2.1.6 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-6-market-research.md)
  - [2.1.7 Forms of Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-7-forms-of-market-research.md)
  - [2.1.8 Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-8-market-segmentation.md)
  - [2.1.9 Cultural & Social Factors in Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-9-cultural-and-social-factors-in-marketing.md)
  - [2.1.10 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-10-promotional-decisions-3.md)
  - [2.1.11 Pricing Strategies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-1-11-pricing-strategies.md)
- 2.2 Marketing Mix
  - [2.2.1 Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-1-marketing-mix.md)
  - [2.2.2 Product Life Cycle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-2-product-life-cycle.md)
  - [2.2.3 Pricing Decisions & Price Skimming](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-3-pricing-decisions-and-price-skimming.md)
  - [2.2.4 Pricing Decisions & Price Penetration](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-4-pricing-decisions-and-price-penetration.md)
  - [2.2.5 Promotional Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-5-promotional-decisions.md)
  - [2.2.6 Promotional Decisions 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-6-promotional-decisions-2.md)
  - [2.2.7 Promotional Decisions 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-7-promotional-decisions-3.md)
  - [2.2.8 Market Mapping](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/2-2-8-market-mapping.md)

### 3 Business Finance
- 3.1 Sources of Finance
  - [3.1.1 Internal Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-1-internal-finance.md)
  - [3.1.2 External Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-2-external-finance.md)
  - [3.1.3 External Finance 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-3-external-finance-2.md)
  - [3.1.4 Sources of Business Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-1-4-sources-of-business-finance.md)
- 3.2 Financial Planning
  - [3.2.1 Revenue](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-1-revenue.md)
  - [3.2.2 Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-2-costs.md)
  - [3.2.3 Cash & Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-3-cash-and-cash-flow.md)
  - [3.2.4 Cash & Cash Flow 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-4-cash-and-cash-flow-2.md)
  - [3.2.5 Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-5-break-even-analysis.md)
  - [3.2.6 Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-2-6-profits.md)
- 3.3 Financial Statements
  - [3.3.1 Balance Sheets](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-1-balance-sheets.md)
  - [3.3.2 Income Statements](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-2-income-statements.md)
  - [3.3.3 Liquidity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/3-3-3-liquidity.md)

### 4 International Business
- 4.1 Globalisation
  - [4.1.1 Growing Economies](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-1-1-growing-economies.md)
  - [4.1.2 Specialisation & Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-1-2-specialisation-and-trade.md)
- 4.2 International Business
  - [4.2.1 Internationalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-1-internationalisation.md)
  - [4.2.2 International Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-2-international-trade.md)
  - [4.2.3 MNCS](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-3-mncs.md)
  - [4.2.4 Conditions that Prompt Trade](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-4-conditions-that-prompt-trade.md)
  - [4.2.5 Assessment of a Country](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-2-5-assessment-of-a-country.md)
- 4.3 International Economic Environment
  - [4.3.1 Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-1-globalisation.md)
  - [4.3.2 Factors Contributing to Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-2-factors-contributing-to-globalisation.md)
  - [4.3.3 Protectionism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-3-protectionism.md)
  - [4.3.4 The EU & the WTO](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-4-the-eu-and-the-wto.md)
  - [4.3.5 Trading Blocs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-3-5-trading-blocs.md)
- 4.4 Factors Affecting International Business
  - [4.4.1 Global Competitiveness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-1-global-competitiveness.md)
  - [4.4.2 Ethics of Global Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-2-ethics-of-global-business.md)
  - [4.4.3 Controlling MNCs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-3-controlling-mncs.md)
  - [4.4.4 Cultural & Social Factors in Marketing](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/4-4-4-cultural-and-social-factors-in-marketing.md)

### 5 Principles of Management
- 5.1 Management & Leadership
  - [5.1.1 Managers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-1-managers.md)
  - [5.1.2 Management Theories](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-2-management-theories.md)
  - [5.1.3 Managing Organisational Culture](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-3-managing-organisational-culture.md)
  - [5.1.4 Management Style](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-1-4-management-style.md)
- 5.2 Theories of Motivation
  - [5.2.1 Motivating & Engaging Employees](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-1-motivating-and-engaging-employees.md)
  - [5.2.2 Taylor's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-2-taylors-theory.md)
  - [5.2.3 Mayo's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-3-mayos-theory.md)
  - [5.2.4 Maslow's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-4-maslows-theory.md)
  - [5.2.5 Herzberg's Theory](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-2-5-herzbergs-theory.md)
- 5.3 Managing Change
  - [5.3.1 Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-1-change.md)
  - [5.3.2 Key Factors in Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-2-key-factors-in-change.md)
  - [5.3.3 Scenario Planning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-3-scenario-planning.md)
  - [5.3.4 Managing Change](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-4-managing-change.md)
  - [5.3.5 Managing Strategic Implementation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/5-3-5-managing-strategic-implementation.md)

### 6 Business Decision Making
- 6.1 Business Principles & Practices
  - [6.1.1 Influences in External Environments](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-1-influences-in-external-environments.md)
  - [6.1.2 Product Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-2-product-decisions.md)
  - [6.1.3 Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-3-competitive-environment.md)
  - [6.1.4 Corporate Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-4-corporate-strategy.md)
  - [6.1.5 Quantitative Sales Forecasting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-5-quantitative-sales-forecasting.md)
  - [6.1.6 Legislation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-1-6-legislation.md)
- 6.2 Quality Management
  - [6.2.1 Importance of Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-1-importance-of-quality.md)
  - [6.2.2 Measuring Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-2-measuring-quality.md)
  - [6.2.3 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-3-total-quality-management.md)
  - [6.2.4 Evaluating TQM](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-2-4-evaluating-tqm.md)
- 6.3 Human Resources
  - [6.3.1 Contracts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-1-contracts.md)
  - [6.3.2 Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-2-recruitment.md)
  - [6.3.3 Training a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-3-3-training-a-workforce.md)
- 6.4 Documents & Business Decisions
  - [6.4.1 Sales Forecasts](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-1-sales-forecasts.md)
  - [6.4.2 Managing Strategic Implementation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-2-managing-strategic-implementation.md)
  - [6.4.3 Problems with Strategy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/btec/business/business-btec-level-3/6-4-3-problems-with-strategy.md)
