Organisational structures

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Organisational structures

An organisation can be defined as a group of people who work over a period of time together to achieve a common goal or objective.

An organisational structure can be classified into a number of different types, examples are listed below:

* Tall, flat, hierarchal

* Line structures

* Line and staff structures

* Centralised and decentralised structures

* Matrix structures

Mars Confectionery in Slough comprises two factories and an office, all of which are situated in Slough Trading Estate. Their factories operate around the clock, 24 hours a day.

The two main types of chart are a flat organisational chart and a tall organisational chart. A flat organisational chart is used when a company have very little hierarchy; there are few levels of authority and more departments. A tall organisational chart shows the hierarchical structure of the organisation, the different levels of authority.

2.4a Flat Organisational Charts-

A flat organisational chart is when an organisation has very little hierarchy, there are few levels of authority.

Mars have a tall organisational structure and also a tall hierarchal structure. The managing Director is

at the top and below are seven departments. Each department is made up of a team.

Flat

Tall

The advantages of an organisational chart is that is shows the position of your company at a particular time- needs reviewing. It can show anomalies and efficiency- shows faults in fundamental structure. It also shows new employees and shows a broad outline of the company and where they fit in. It is also essential for the day to day planning.

The disadvantages are that it shows formal organisation- not personalities (people mould job). And it may lead to disputes if not applied rigidly. It also shows that companies status at only one point in time (when the chart is being drawn). After it has been drawn a new employee may start up at the organisation and then the old chart would need to be upgraded.

This type of structure provides possibilities for promotion for any staff. Mars use "critical thinking" this is where managers are looking to promote someone with initiative, who can handle difficult situations and make the right decisions quickly.

An organisational chart is a diagrammatic presentation of the structure of an organisation, showing the department within that organisation e.g. Finance, R&D, Administration, Personnel, Marketing, Sales Logistics and Production.

An organisational chart also shows the level of responsibility and authority for individuals or departments, it also shows the span of control, so the number of people a person in supervising.

At Mars they operate a line structure is the relationship between a senior and a subordinate at any level within the organisation. This is simple to understand so staff know exactly where they are in the structure. Managers will also have a clear understanding of the roles of people when allocating work.
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A centralised organisation is when decisions are made at the top of the organisation and the activities are shared out centrally. The advantage of centralisation are that the senior management is aware of how both internal external factors are likely to affect individual departments and the organisation in general. Decentralised structures are used when managers or supervisors take the authority in decisions

The Mars decentralised because the head of each department has the authority to make decisions; therefore this saves time allow managers to take control of the work undertaken by their department and motivates staff because ...

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