Organizational Structural Issues

It was noted that flat structures resulted in centralized authority with few levels of authority but encouragement to delegate in circumstances where spans of control tend to be large. Tall structures, by contrast, represented the decentralization of authority, although this was affected by means of numerous levels management operating with narrow span of control. The major factors affecting the number of levels were seen as the

size of operations, their nature, especially in respect of technology, and, finally, the management style of the organization.

In this article I have discussed line and staff functions and relationships. The term line function was variously described, but was identified mainly as function contributing directly to the provision of goods and services. A staff function was seen mainly as a contributor to the line in the provision of goods and services. It was argued that it was not particularly helpful to discuss line and staff in terms of functions, but it made more sense to discuss the issue in terms of relationships in terms of authority. Whether it is line or staff line authority has to be exercised by all managers over their subordinates. It is more useful to think functional authority as the main type of authority. Functional authority is the right to order other people what to do only in respect of agreed aspects of specialist tasks and functions .This arises because of the increasing complexity of the modern organizations, in which there is high degree of interdependence between the line and the specialist functions.

In addition, I have looked briefly the distinction between authority, responsibility and power. Authority is defined as legitimate power to act in certain ways. Responsibility is defined as the obligation to perform certain things for the organization. Power is defined as the ability to achieve things regardless of authority or responsibility. Authority was contrasted with responsibility in one key respect: authority could be delegated, but responsibility could not be.

As discussed above the issue of organizational structural issues and concerns is a major factor to be considered by any management of modern organization because these issues if not resolved will affect the organizations effectiveness and its survival.