Fig. 1 shows the structure proposed for a growing mobile-phone repair business. The director is considering a wider span of control because customer booking...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows the structure proposed for a growing mobile-phone repair business. The director is considering a wider span of control because customer bookings have increased. Team leaders will receive training before they supervise the repair staff.
(a) What is meant by span of control? [2]
(b) Identify the number of team leaders directly controlled by the director in Fig. 1. [1]
(c) Explain one benefit of giving team leaders training before increasing their span of control. [2]
(d) Explain one possible disadvantage to repair staff of a very wide span of control. [3]
Answer Details
(a) Span of control is the number of subordinates or employees [1] directly supervised by one manager [1].
(b) The director directly controls three team leaders. [1]
(c) Training improves team leaders’ supervisory skills [1]. They can then monitor repair quality or support repair staff more effectively [1] when each leader supervises more people.
(d) With a very wide span of control, each leader has less time for each worker [1]. Repair staff may receive less guidance or feedback [1], which could reduce repair quality or motivation [1].
Exam focus: A wide span of control is not automatically good or bad. Explain its effect on the amount of supervision each employee receives.
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