Use your understanding of departmentalization in organizations to answer the questions. © Shutterstock Images Which form of departmentalization is best if the company seeks to minimize duplication of efforts?

A. Function
B. Product
C. Customer
D. Location

Which advantage would you cite if you were advising a company to group jobs by function?

A. Decisions are typically faster and more effective.
B. The organization can respond to unique regional concerns.
C. Coordinating activities inside each department is easier.
D. Tailoring services to meet customer needs is easier.

Now think about span of management as you answer this question. The owner of the business where you work has asked you to assess whether he should restructure reporting relationships at the company to improve the ability of employees to meet the needs of customers. What do you recommend? Check all that apply.

A. A flatter structure should result in higher levels of employee morale and productivity.
B. A flatter structure will further centralize decision making.
C. A taller structure will improve the speed at which decisions are implemented.
D. A taller structure will decrease administrative costs.

1: a. Function

2: C. Coordinating activities inside each department is easier.

3: A. A flatter structure should result in higher levels of employee morale and productivity.

B. A flatter structure will further centralize decision making.

Explanation:

1. Function departmentalization aims to group employees with similar jobs or activities together thereby reducing duplication of effort.

2. Each department in Functional departmentilization are of similar qualification, skills and experience, it is therefore easier their activities.

3. Flatter structures provide more opportunities for the employees. The focus is rather on the employees than the chain of command. Therefore if the owner

of the business wants to improve the ability of employees to meet the needs of customers, he will need to utilize the flatter structure type of organization to empower the employees to meet the customers needs.

(1) Function (2) coordinating activities inside each department is easier, (3) A flatter structure should result in higher level of employee morale and productivity

Explanation:

departmentalization can be defined as the division of the work to be done in an organization based on the functions to be carried out by workers in the same department. In this case, an official will be appointed to oversee the work of such department with are view to ensure that the overall objective of the organization is achieved. For example in an organization, we can have Accounting department, marketing department, Human relations department, Admistrative department and so on. However, with a view to minimize duplication of efforts in an organization departmentalization by function is the most suitable. In the sense that, when jobs are group by functions it allows for the easier coordination of the activities inside each of the department in the organization by the manager of each department to ensure that the organization achieved its objective.

The span of management can be defined as the number of subordinates who can be effectively supervised directly by one manager, supervisor or other person in authority. In an organization a flatter structure should be adopted in the sense that such a structure will improve the morale of the employees in the organization which in turn lead to higher level of productivity in the organization.