Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-1-organisational-structures [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business.md) › [Edexcel](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel.md) › Organisational Structures # Organisational Structures Business: Edexcel GCSE, topic 2.5.1 ## Centralised Organisational Structures Centralised organisational structures have a few people at the top of the hierarchy who make all the important decisions in a business. ### Benefits ![Benefits](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b26e8fd8-f810-44e6-b688-05d715dd7831/shutterstock_682456528.jpg) - Centralised organisational structures usually have consistent decisions and company policies across all the business’ different functions. - The people at the top of the hierarchy usually have the most experience and expertise. They also have a complete view of the organisation and what its overall goals are, so they may be best-positioned to make the best decisions. ### Drawbacks ![Drawbacks](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/b6454211-3c4a-4316-9fe8-a79251458030/shutterstock_676195168.jpg) - Decision making can be slow because all decisions are made by a few people at the top of the business. The people at the top will end up with a lot of decisions that will take time. - Because the people at the top of the hierarchy are less involved in the day-to-day work (operations) in a business, they can become disconnected from reality. This can lead to bad decisions. - Businesses often have lots of different functions, each needing different skills. The people at the top are unlikely to have specialist knowledge of all the different functions. ## Decentralised Organisational Structures In decentralised organisations, decision-making responsibilities are delegated by the top management to middle and lower level managers in the business. ### Benefits ![Benefits](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/d3d1fed8-1993-4c84-8033-a04d16c6099c/shutterstock_421680997.jpg) - Decisions can be made faster because communication has to travel through less layers before being implemented. - Decisions are being made by people who have specialist knowledge and are closer to the day-to-day operations of the business. ### Drawbacks ![Drawbacks](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9310399b-b2ab-4962-9bb9-4a62c14a5b9a/shutterstock_573912778.jpg) - Decentralised organisations may have inconsistent decisions made across different business functions. - Some of these decisions may not be aligned with the overall aim or objectives of the business. ## Tall vs Flat 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/595b1e03-63ec-4a06-b334-7d30f363d1be/shutterstock_654173701.jpg) - 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](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/16149622-46ad-45cf-9ebd-33f3c8a2b63e/shutterstock_72179989.jpg) - 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). ## Test yourself on Organisational Structures - Who makes decisions in centralised organisational structures? - Which of these is not a characteristic of people at the top of an organisational hierarchy? - Compared to centralised organisational structures, in decentralised organisations... - Which of these is not a drawback of decision-making in decentralised organisations? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/e7efbfa0-222a-11e8-9249-b5781fc38111/section/22e4c4b0-2394-11e8-bb4b-e16fac146884/session) - Previous topic: [2.4.8 Percentage Change - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-8-percentage-change-calculations.md) - Next topic: [2.5.2 Organisational Structures 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-2-organisational-structures-2.md) ## Business: Edexcel GCSE contents ### 1 Investigating Small Business - 1.1 Enterprise & Entrepreneurship - [1.1.1 The Dynamic Nature of Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-1-the-dynamic-nature-of-businesses.md) - [1.1.2 Risk & Reward](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-2-risk-and-reward.md) - [1.1.3 The Role of Business Enterprise](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-3-the-role-of-business-enterprise.md) - [1.1.4 The Role of Business Enterprise 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-4-the-role-of-business-enterprise-2.md) - [1.1.5 The Role of the Entrepreneur](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-5-the-role-of-the-entrepreneur.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Dynamic Nature of Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-dynamic-nature-of-business.md) - [1.1.7 Grade 9 - Dynamic Nature of Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-1-7-grade-9-dynamic-nature-of-business.md) - 1.2 Spotting a Business Opportunity - [1.2.1 Customer Needs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-1-customer-needs.md) - [1.2.2 Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-2-market-research.md) - [1.2.3 Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-3-market-segmentation.md) - [1.2.4 The Competitive Environment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-4-the-competitive-environment.md) - [1.2.5 Primary & Secondary Market Research](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-5-primary-and-secondary-market-research.md) - [1.2.6 End of Topic Test - Business Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-6-end-of-topic-test-business-opportunities.md) - [1.2.7 Application Questions - Business Opportunities](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-7-application-questions-business-opportunities.md) - [1.2.8 Exam-Style Questions - Market Segmentation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-8-exam-style-questions-market-segmentation.md) - [1.2.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Competition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-2-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-competition.md) - 1.3 Putting a Business Idea into Practice - [1.3.1 Business Aims](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-1-business-aims.md) - [1.3.2 Business Objectives](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-2-business-objectives.md) - [1.3.3 Business Revenues & Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-3-business-revenues-and-costs.md) - [1.3.4 Costs - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-4-costs-calculations.md) - [1.3.5 Revenue - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-5-revenue-calculations.md) - [1.3.6 Business Profits & Break-Even Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-6-business-profits-and-break-even-analysis.md) - [1.3.7 Profits & Losses - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-7-profits-and-losses-calculations.md) - [1.3.8 Interest - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-8-interest-calculations.md) - [1.3.9 Cash & Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-9-cash-and-cash-flow.md) - [1.3.10 Cash & Cash Flow 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-10-cash-and-cash-flow-2.md) - [1.3.11 Cash Flow - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-11-cash-flow-calculations.md) - [1.3.12 Sources of Business Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-12-sources-of-business-finance.md) - [1.3.13 End of Topic Test - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-13-end-of-topic-test-business-in-practice.md) - [1.3.14 Grade 9 - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-14-grade-9-business-in-practice.md) - [1.3.15 Exam-Style Questions - Business in Practice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-15-exam-style-questions-business-in-practice.md) - [1.3.16 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Profit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-16-diagnostic-misconceptions-profit.md) - [1.3.17 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Company vs Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-17-diagnostic-misconceptions-company-vs-business.md) - [1.3.18 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Economies of Scale](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-18-diagnostic-misconceptions-economies-of-scale.md) - [1.3.19 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cash Flow](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-19-diagnostic-misconceptions-cash-flow.md) - [1.3.20 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Break-even](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-20-diagnostic-misconceptions-break-even.md) - [1.3.21 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Fixed Costs](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-3-21-diagnostic-misconceptions-fixed-costs.md) - 1.4 Making the Business Effective - [1.4.1 The Options for Start-Up & Small Businesses](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-1-the-options-for-start-up-and-small-businesses.md) - [1.4.2 Limited Liability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-2-limited-liability.md) - [1.4.3 Franchising & Not-For-Profits](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-3-franchising-and-not-for-profits.md) - [1.4.4 Business Location](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-4-business-location.md) - [1.4.5 The Marketing Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-5-the-marketing-mix.md) - [1.4.6 Business Plans](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-6-business-plans.md) - [1.4.7 End of Topic Test - Effective Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-7-end-of-topic-test-effective-business.md) - [1.4.8 Application Questions - Effective Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-8-application-questions-effective-business.md) - [1.4.9 Exam-Style Questions - Business Plans](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-4-9-exam-style-questions-business-plans.md) - 1.5 Business Stakeholders - [1.5.1 Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-1-business-stakeholders.md) - [1.5.2 Technology & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-2-technology-and-business.md) - [1.5.3 Legislation & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-3-legislation-and-business.md) - [1.5.4 Legislation & Business 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-4-legislation-and-business-2.md) - [1.5.5 The Economy & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-5-the-economy-and-business.md) - [1.5.6 External Influences](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-6-external-influences.md) - [1.5.7 End of Topic Test - Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-7-end-of-topic-test-business-stakeholders.md) - [1.5.8 Grade 9 - Business Stakeholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-8-grade-9-business-stakeholders.md) - [1.5.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Recessions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/1-5-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-recessions.md) ### 2 Building a Business - 2.1 Growing the Business - [2.1.1 Business Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-1-business-growth.md) - [2.1.2 Finance](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-2-finance.md) - [2.1.3 Changes in Business Aims & Globalisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-3-changes-in-business-aims-and-globalisation.md) - [2.1.4 Ethics & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-4-ethics-and-business.md) - [2.1.5 The Environment & Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-5-the-environment-and-business.md) - [2.1.6 End of Topic Test - Growing a Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-6-end-of-topic-test-growing-a-business.md) - [2.1.7 Application Questions - Growing a Business](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-7-application-questions-growing-a-business.md) - [2.1.8 Exam-Style Questions - Business Growth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-1-8-exam-style-questions-business-growth.md) - 2.2 Making Marketing Decisions - [2.2.1 Product](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-1-product.md) - [2.2.2 Product Life Cycle](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-2-product-life-cycle.md) - [2.2.3 Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-3-price.md) - [2.2.4 Pricing Methods](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-4-pricing-methods.md) - [2.2.5 End of Topic Test - Product & Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-5-end-of-topic-test-product-and-price.md) - [2.2.6 Grade 9 - Product & Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-6-grade-9-product-and-price.md) - [2.2.7 Promotion & Advertising](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-7-promotion-and-advertising.md) - [2.2.8 PR & Sales Promotions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-8-pr-and-sales-promotions.md) - [2.2.9 Sponsorship & Product Placement](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-9-sponsorship-and-product-placement.md) - [2.2.10 Promotional Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-10-promotional-mix.md) - [2.2.11 End of Topic Test - Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-11-end-of-topic-test-promotion.md) - [2.2.12 Application Questions - Promotion](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-12-application-questions-promotion.md) - [2.2.13 Exam-Style Questions - Promotional Mix](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-13-exam-style-questions-promotional-mix.md) - [2.2.14 Place & Wholesalers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-14-place-and-wholesalers.md) - [2.2.15 Direct to Consumer](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-15-direct-to-consumer.md) - [2.2.16 E-commerce & M-commerce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-16-e-commerce-and-m-commerce.md) - [2.2.17 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Decreasing Price](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-17-diagnostic-misconceptions-decreasing-price.md) - [2.2.18 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Advertise vs Promote](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-18-diagnostic-misconceptions-advertise-vs-promote.md) - [2.2.19 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Social Media](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-2-19-diagnostic-misconceptions-social-media.md) - 2.3 Making Operational Decisions - [2.3.1 Job Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-1-job-production.md) - [2.3.2 Batch & Flow Production](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-2-batch-and-flow-production.md) - [2.3.3 Working with Suppliers](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-3-working-with-suppliers.md) - [2.3.4 Effective Supply Chains](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-4-effective-supply-chains.md) - [2.3.5 Just In Time & Just In Case](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-5-just-in-time-and-just-in-case.md) - [2.3.6 Managing Quality](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-6-managing-quality.md) - [2.3.7 Total Quality Management](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-7-total-quality-management.md) - [2.3.8 The Sales Process](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-8-the-sales-process.md) - [2.3.9 End of Topic Test - Operational Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-9-end-of-topic-test-operational-decisions.md) - [2.3.10 Grade 9 - Operational Decisions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-10-grade-9-operational-decisions.md) - [2.3.11 Exam-Style Questions - Managing Stock](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-11-exam-style-questions-managing-stock.md) - [2.3.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - JIT vs JIC](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-3-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-jit-vs-jic.md) - 2.4 Making Financial Decisions - [2.4.1 Gross Profit & Net Profit - Definitions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-1-gross-profit-and-net-profit-definitions.md) - [2.4.2 Gross Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-2-gross-profit-calculations.md) - [2.4.3 Net Profit - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-3-net-profit-calculations.md) - [2.4.4 Rate of Return](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-4-rate-of-return.md) - [2.4.5 Rate of Return - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-5-rate-of-return-calculations.md) - [2.4.6 Research & Financial Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-6-research-and-financial-data.md) - [2.4.7 Marketing Data](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-7-marketing-data.md) - [2.4.8 Percentage Change - Calculations](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-4-8-percentage-change-calculations.md) - 2.5 Making Human Resource Decisions - [2.5.1 Organisational Structures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-1-organisational-structures.md) - [2.5.2 Organisational Structures 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-2-organisational-structures-2.md) - [2.5.3 Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-3-recruitment.md) - [2.5.4 Effective Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-4-effective-recruitment.md) - [2.5.5 Training a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-5-training-a-workforce.md) - [2.5.6 Motivating a Workforce](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-6-motivating-a-workforce.md) - [2.5.7 End of Topic Tests - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-7-end-of-topic-tests-human-resources.md) - [2.5.8 Application Questions - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-8-application-questions-human-resources.md) - [2.5.9 Exam-Style Questions - Human Resources](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-9-exam-style-questions-human-resources.md) - [2.5.10 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Owners vs Shareholders](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-10-diagnostic-misconceptions-owners-vs-shareholders.md) - [2.5.11 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Internal Recruitment](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-11-diagnostic-misconceptions-internal-recruitment.md) - [2.5.12 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Employee Motivation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/business/edexcel/2-5-12-diagnostic-misconceptions-employee-motivation.md)