Organisational behaviour
A manager's span of control refers to how many employees that manager supervises. A manager with a wide span of control supervises many employees, while one with a narrow span of control supervises just a few. A wide span of control can have positive or negative effects on the employees, or a mix of both, depending on how the business is structured and how the manager handles supervisory duties.
For example, if a manager directly controls 10 employees in the organization then it is his span of control. With the expansion of the business the span of the supervisors increases because the number of employees increases. There are two kinds of organizational structures including flat and vertical organizational structure. In both of the structures there is a different span of control. A company incurs less cost if the span of control of supervisors increases because the company will have to pay the benefit to a less number of supervisor.
Difference between narrow span of control and wide span of control.
Formal and Informal Relations - In Narrow span Structure, a manager has to manage only a few subordinates. Therefore, the relationship between them will be informal. Personal relationships are possible. In Wide span Structure, a manager has to manage many subordinates. Therefore, the relationship between them will be formal. Personal relationships are impossible.
Control of Subordinates - In Narrow span Structure, there is a close control because there are few subordinates. In Wide span Structure, there is a loose control because there are many subordinates.
Extent of Coordination - In Narrow span Structure, the coordination is good. In Wide span Structure, the coordination is not so good.
Mistakes - In Narrow span Structure, there are less mistakes because of close supervision and control. In Wide span Structure, many mistakes may occur because of loose supervision and control.
Discipline - In Narrow span Structure, Good discipline can be maintained because
For example, if a manager directly controls 10 employees in the organization then it is his span of control. With the expansion of the business the span of the supervisors increases because the number of employees increases. There are two kinds of organizational structures including flat and vertical organizational structure. In both of the structures there is a different span of control. A company incurs less cost if the span of control of supervisors increases because the company will have to pay the benefit to a less number of supervisor.
Difference between narrow span of control and wide span of control.
Formal and Informal Relations - In Narrow span Structure, a manager has to manage only a few subordinates. Therefore, the relationship between them will be informal. Personal relationships are possible. In Wide span Structure, a manager has to manage many subordinates. Therefore, the relationship between them will be formal. Personal relationships are impossible.
Control of Subordinates - In Narrow span Structure, there is a close control because there are few subordinates. In Wide span Structure, there is a loose control because there are many subordinates.
Extent of Coordination - In Narrow span Structure, the coordination is good. In Wide span Structure, the coordination is not so good.
Mistakes - In Narrow span Structure, there are less mistakes because of close supervision and control. In Wide span Structure, many mistakes may occur because of loose supervision and control.
Discipline - In Narrow span Structure, Good discipline can be maintained because