Span of control refers to the number of subordinates over whom a supervisor has direct control. In an organization, a manager is limited by time as well as by personal skills and cannot supervise an infinite number of persons.
Optimum span of control that which is neither too narrow nor broad. Organizations should aim at having an optimum number of subordinates to be supervised by one person. An ideal or optimum span of control is one which leads to efficient utilization of managers and effective performance of their subordinates. Too wide a span may mean that managers are receiving too little guidance or control. Too narrow may mean managers are under utilized. The number of subordinates a manager can supervise will depend on a number of factors and cannot be identified in advance.
Kavungya answered the question on April 29, 2021 at 18:56
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“The nature of strategic management differs according to the type of organizations.”
Discuss this statement with respect to the following types of organizations:
(a) Public sector organizations....
(Solved)
“The nature of strategic management differs according to the type of organizations.”
Discuss this statement with respect to the following types of organizations:
(a) Public sector organizations.
(b) Non-profit organizations.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Describe the marketing strategies a firm should adopt in the different stages of a product’s life cycle.
(Solved)
Describe the marketing strategies a firm should adopt in the different stages of a product’s life cycle.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Identify and explain the characteristics of an effective management information system.
(Solved)
Identify and explain the characteristics of an effective management information system.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Explain the factors that are considered in the design of an organization structure.
(Solved)
Explain the factors that are considered in the design of an organization structure.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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“Outsourcing some of an organization’s operations could lead to increased productivity.” Discuss.
(Solved)
“Outsourcing some of an organization’s operations could lead to increased productivity.” Discuss.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Briefly explain the key requirements for successful project management.
(Solved)
Briefly explain the key requirements for successful project management.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Benchmarking can provide a company with a continuous and competitive advantage if it is used effectively.
(i) Describe the various types of benchmarking.
(ii) Highlight the advantages...
(Solved)
Benchmarking can provide a company with a continuous and competitive advantage if it is used effectively.
(i) Describe the various types of benchmarking.
(ii) Highlight the advantages of benchmarking.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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The success of a business plan depends as much on the clarity and realization of the thought behind it as on how it is expressed...
(Solved)
The success of a business plan depends as much on the clarity and realization of the thought behind it as on how it is expressed and put together.
List and explain the sequential framework for compiling a business plan.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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The training programme for the first year graduate management trainees of PQR Bank Ltd., a major commercial bank with a country wide branch network, consists...
(Solved)
The training programme for the first year graduate management trainees of PQR Bank Ltd., a major commercial bank with a country wide branch network, consists of classroom training and on -the-job training. The objectives of the training are to ensure that new staff members learn fundamental concepts in banking and develop technical, analytical and communication skills that when combined with further experience and training, will help them achieve maximum potential in the organization.
Classroom training is used to introduce concepts and theories applicable to the work environment. Although new management trainees receive this special training, actual work experience is the principal means by which they develop the skills necessary to become good bank managers.
Managers in different departments and branches of the bank are responsible for on-the-job training. They assign duties to the trainees and review their progress. Owing to the fact that managers are on performance contracts, their attention is usually not focused on the work being done by the trainees. The managers therefore, assign routine to the trainees with little or no through to furthering the career development of these employees. This has resulted in minimal preparation of the trainees for the learning the job.
Recently, the bank has lost several capable first year management trainees. The reason most of them gave for leaving was that they were not learning or advancing in their careers.
Required:
(a) Explain the limitations of on-the-job training offered by PQR Bank Ltd.
(b) Describe the measures that PQR Bank Ltd. should put in place in order to reduce the high turnover of the management trainees.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Outline the activities that are included in a public relations programme of an organization.
(Solved)
Outline the activities that are included in a public relations programme of an organization.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Explain the importance of public relations to an organization.
(Solved)
Explain the importance of public relations to an organization.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Explain the three levels of strategy and the characteristics of strategic management decisions at each level.
(Solved)
Explain the three levels of strategy and the characteristics of strategic management decisions at each level.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Discuss the barriers to effective decision making in an organization and suggest ways in which management can overcome such barriers.
(Solved)
Discuss the barriers to effective decision making in an organization and suggest ways in which management can overcome such barriers.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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“Procurement is an important aspect of production management.”
Explain how an efficient procurement policy benefits an organization.
(Solved)
“Procurement is an important aspect of production management.”
Explain how an efficient procurement policy benefits an organization.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Distinguish between goals and objectives describing how they can be used in the development of corporate strategic plans.
(Solved)
Distinguish between goals and objectives describing how they can be used in the development of corporate strategic plans.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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What are the characteristics of a good mission statement?
(Solved)
What are the characteristics of a good mission statement?
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Discuss the contributions of scientific school of management to the study of work and its relevance to the management of organizations today.
(Solved)
Discuss the contributions of scientific school of management to the study of work and its relevance to the management of organizations today.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Explain the environmental factors that a marketing manager should consider before entering the international market.
(Solved)
Explain the environmental factors that a marketing manager should consider before entering the international market.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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“When a company introduces a new product, it faces the challenges of setting its price for the first time.”
Discuss this statement using the two pricing...
(Solved)
“When a company introduces a new product, it faces the challenges of setting its price for the first time.”
Discuss this statement using the two pricing strategies.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)
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Samson Kimani was recently appointed as the finance manager of Bita Chemicals Ltd. He qualified as an accountant one year ago and this is his...
(Solved)
Samson Kimani was recently appointed as the finance manager of Bita Chemicals Ltd. He qualified as an accountant one year ago and this is his first managerial position. The finance department is made up of ten members of staff who have been working for the company for several years but since they are not qualified accountants, they were not considered when the appointment was being done. Members of the department are not happy with the appointment as they would have liked someone who has been with the organization for a longer duration and therefore with more experience to have been promoted to that position.
Although Samson is a good accountant, he has a problem relating to people. Consequently, there has been little social contact between him and members of his department.
To overcome his communication problems, Samson has been relying on internal memoranda and placing instructions on the department’s notice board as the main methods of conveying information to his staff. These new methods of communication have not been well received by the staff and have resulted in several complaints being made to the chief finance officer regarding Samson’s inability to effectively communicate with his staff. There has also been a lot of confusion within the department and team spirit is at an all time low.
The chief finance officer has talked to Samson and was able to establish the following as the reasons for Samson’s reliance on written communication only:
To avoid confusion since there is a documented record of his instructions.
When chairing departmental meetings he feels intimidated with so many experienced and older employees and as a result the meetings always end in chaos with no decisions being made.
As a manager in a consultancy firm, you have been approached by the chief finance officer to help Samson improve on his communication skills.
Required:
(a) Explain to Samson why he should use different styles of communication to improve the working relations in his department.
(b) Outline to Samson the guidelines of conducting effective meetings with members of his department.
Date posted:
April 29, 2021
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Answers (1)