Task:
The purpose of this assignment is to enhance learners’ ability to:
1.understand the issues of vertical structural dimensions which include issues of authority, hierarchical levels, span of control, delegation and decentralisation.
2.evaluate the appropriateness of the vertical structure dimensions of a selected organisation in determining the success of its strategy implementation.
Requirement
1.You have to critically review at least ten (10) articles (journal articles or books) on verticle structural dimensions especially on the topics of authority, hierarchical levels, span of control, delegation and decentralisation.
2.You can select your own organisation as your study site, or any other organisation that you are familiar with and be allowed to conduct this study.
Question
Part a: Literature Review
Critically review the concepts, application, and issues of the following vertical structural dimensions:
i.authority
ii.hierarchical levels
iii.span of control
iv.delegation
v.decentralisation
You should cite at least ten (10) references from books or journal articles to support your literature review.
Part b: Practices In The Selected Organisation
The following questions will assist you in collecting information about practices of vertical structuring in the selected organisation:
1.Authority
What is the authority structure in the selected organisation?
Does informal authority exist in the selected organisation? Give evidences / examples.
Is authority being effectively used in the selected organisation? Give evidences/ examples.
2.Hierarchical levels
How many hierarchical levels did you find in this organisation?
Are there too many or too few hierachical levels in this organisation? Is information flow and decision making process aided or hindered by the number of hierarchical levels in this organisation?
3.Span of control
What is the average number of subordinates under each leader / supervisor?
Do you consider the span of control practiced by this organisation narrow or wide? Why?
What would be the optimum span of control for this organisation? Why?
4.Delegation
Does the organisation delegate the authority and responsibility to the lower level managers? Give evidences to support your opinion.
Do you think sufficient authority and responsibility have been delegated to the lower level managers? Justify your answer.
What types of tasks are generally being delegated in this organisation, and are these delegated tasks being performed as well as expected?
5.Decentralisation
Are the decision making processes centralised or decentralised in this organisation? Support your opinion with evidences.
Generally, is the decision making process fast or slow in the chosen organisation? Provide evidences.
What types of decision making process are being practiced; individual or team/group decision making?
Part c: Evaluation And Recommendation
In this section you have to evaluate whether the vertical structural dimensions (authority, hierarchical levels, span of control, delegation and decentralisation) that were being practiced by the selected organisation were effective and aligned with what you have reviewed in PART A of your report.
What recommendations would you give to make the vertical structurel dimensions of the selected organisation better designed and appropriate for the tasks to be implemented?
