Back to Topic 2.2 — Organizational structure

2.2.1BM SL15 flashcards

Types of organizational structure

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Card 1 of 152.2.1

Question

Define organizational structure.

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All 15 Flashcards — Types of organizational structure

Card 1definition

Question

Define organizational structure.

Answer

An organizational structure shows how roles, responsibilities and authority are arranged in a business, including who reports to whom and how information flows.

💡 Hint

Who reports to whom.

Card 2example

Question

Organizational structure determines who reports to ______.

Answer

Whom.

💡 Hint

Reporting lines.

Card 3example

Question

In a tall structure, is the chain of command usually long or short?

Answer

Long.

💡 Hint

Many levels = long chain.

Card 4example

Question

In a tall structure, is the span of control usually narrow or wide?

Answer

Narrow.

💡 Hint

Tall = narrow span.

Card 5example

Question

What does an organizational structure help a business achieve?

Answer

Clear reporting lines and coordination, so decisions and communication happen efficiently and responsibilities are clear.

💡 Hint

Clarity + coordination.

Card 6example

Question

Tall structure usually has many levels and a ______ chain of command.

Answer

Long.

💡 Hint

Tall = long chain.

Card 7example

Question

Give one disadvantage of a tall structure.

Answer

Communication and decision-making can be slow because messages pass through many levels.

💡 Hint

Slow + bureaucratic.

Card 8example

Question

State one feature of a hierarchical (tall) structure.

Answer

Many levels of management with a long chain of command.

💡 Hint

Tall = many levels.

Card 9example

Question

Flat structure usually has few levels and a ______ chain of command.

Answer

Short.

💡 Hint

Flat = short chain.

Card 10example

Question

State one feature of a flat structure.

Answer

Few levels of management with a short chain of command and often a wide span of control.

💡 Hint

Flat = few levels.

Card 11example

Question

Matrix structures can create confusion because employees may report to ______ managers.

Answer

Two (or more).

💡 Hint

More than one boss.

Card 12example

Question

Give one advantage of a flat structure.

Answer

Faster communication and decision-making because there are fewer management layers.

💡 Hint

Fewer layers = faster.

Card 13example

Question

Give one disadvantage of a flat structure.

Answer

Managers may be overloaded due to a wide span of control, making supervision harder.

💡 Hint

Wide span = overload.

Card 14definition

Question

What is a matrix structure?

Answer

A structure where employees report to more than one manager (for example, both a functional manager and a project manager).

💡 Hint

More than one boss.

Card 15example

Question

Exam tip: For structure questions, what should you always do?

Answer

Name the structure, state one advantage and one disadvantage, then apply to the business context.

💡 Hint

Name + pro + con + case.

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Topic 2.2 hub

Organizational structure

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