Question 1: Define a flat organisational structure and explain one advantage it offers to a business.

Answer: A flat organisational structure has few levels of management, which means employees have more responsibility and communicate directly with managers. One advantage is that it can lead to faster decision-making and improved communication.

Question 2: Identify and describe two features of a tall organisational structure.

Answer: A tall organisational structure has many levels of management, resulting in a clear hierarchy. Features include a wide span of control for managers and a defined chain of command from top to bottom.

Question 3: Compare a functional organisational structure with a matrix structure. Highlight one key difference.

Answer: A functional structure groups employees based on their specialist roles, such as marketing or finance. A matrix structure combines functional and project-based teams, allowing employees to work on multiple projects. The key difference is that functional structures are more hierarchical, while matrix structures are more flexible and team-based.

Question 4: Describe how a hierarchical (or pyramid) structure is typically arranged within a large business.

Answer: A hierarchical structure is arranged in layers, with the most senior managers at the top, followed by middle managers, and then operational staff at the bottom. It resembles a pyramid shape.

Question 5: Sketch a simple diagram of a chain of command in a business with three levels: owner, manager, and staff. Label each level clearly.

Answer: A vertical line with three levels: at the top, label 'Owner'; in the middle, label 'Manager'; at the bottom, label 'Staff'. The lines should connect from top to bottom to show authority flow.

Question 6: Explain one benefit of having a decentralised organisational structure.

Answer: Decentralisation allows decision-making to be spread out to managers at different levels, which can lead to quicker responses to local issues and increased motivation among managers.

Question 7: Identify a potential disadvantage of a tall organisational structure for a business.

Answer: A tall structure can lead to slower decision-making due to many levels of approval and can cause communication problems between different levels.

Question 8: Imagine a small startup business. Which type of organisational structure is most likely appropriate and why?

Answer: A flat structure is most appropriate because it reduces hierarchy, encourages communication, and allows the business to adapt quickly as it is small and flexible.

Question 9: Describe the role of middle management in an organisational structure.

Answer: Middle managers oversee operational staff, implement policies set by senior management, and coordinate activities between different departments.

Question 10: Sketch a diagram showing a simple functional structure with at least three departments. Label each department.

Answer: A diagram with a central box labeled 'CEO' at the top, with three branches below, each labeled 'Marketing', 'Finance', and 'Operations'. Each department should be depicted as a separate section or box connected to the central management.