What effect does a wide span of control have on the organizational structure?

What effect does a wide span of control have on the organizational structure?

• A. It leads to a taller structure
• B. It requires more managers at the top
• C. It has no effect on structure
• D. It leads to a flatter structure

Answer: (D)

A wide span of control means a manager directly supervises many employees. This reduces the number of levels of management needed, so the organization becomes flatter with fewer vertical layers between top and bottom. It can also speed up decision-making and communication, since information moves more quickly across a shorter chain of command. If the span were narrow, you’d see a taller structure with more layers. It doesn’t typically require more managers at the very top; in fact, it often reduces the number of middle managers needed.

A wide span of control means a manager directly supervises many employees. This reduces the number of levels of management needed, so the organization becomes flatter with fewer vertical layers between top and bottom. It can also speed up decision-making and communication, since information moves more quickly across a shorter chain of command. If the span were narrow, you’d see a taller structure with more layers. It doesn’t typically require more managers at the very top; in fact, it often reduces the number of middle managers needed.