Fig. 1 shows an organisational structure for a company producing reusable water bottles. The production manager has a direct line of authority to the factor...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows an organisational structure for a company producing reusable water bottles. The production manager has a direct line of authority to the factory supervisor. The human resources manager advises both managers about recruitment and training, but does not give production instructions to factory workers.
(a) Identify the manager with direct line authority over the factory supervisor. [1]
(b) What is meant by line authority? [2]
(c) Explain one benefit to the business of using the HR manager as a specialist adviser. [3]
(d) Which one of the following is a likely responsibility of the HR manager: setting daily production targets, selecting new employees, or repairing bottle moulds? [1]
(e) Explain one reason why the factory supervisor should still have authority over production staff. [3]
Answer Details
(a) The production manager has direct line authority over the factory supervisor. [1]
(b) Line authority is the right to give instructions [1] to employees lower down the organisational structure [1].
(c) The HR manager has specialist knowledge of recruitment or training [1]. This supports better selection or development of employees [1], which can improve staff performance or reduce labour turnover [1]. The HR manager advises rather than directs factory production.
(d) Selecting new employees is a likely HR-manager responsibility. [1]
(e) The factory supervisor is close to daily factory work [1], so instructions can be given quickly [1]. This helps production targets and quality standards to be met [1].
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
