Victoria, a shift manager in a shoe factory, directly supervises 40 employees on her shift. The 40 workers who report directly to Victoria represent her:
Multiple Choice
span of control
hierarchy of authority
span of direction
unity of command
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is: span of control.
Explanation:
Span of control refers to the number of subordinates or employees that a manager or supervisor can effectively oversee and manage directly. In this case, Victoria supervises 40 employees on her shift, which means she has a span of control of 40.
To understand why this is the correct answer, let’s break down the other options and why they do not fit as well:
- Hierarchy of authority: This term describes the organizational structure or chain of command, where authority flows from the top levels of management down to lower levels. It focuses on who reports to whom in the entire organization, not on the number of direct reports a manager has.
- Span of direction: This term is less commonly used in management theory but sometimes refers to the scope or extent of the manager’s guidance or influence over activities. However, it is not the technical term used to describe the number of direct reports under a manager.
- Unity of command: This is a management principle stating that each employee should report to only one manager to avoid confusion and conflict. While important, it does not describe the number of employees reporting to a manager, but rather emphasizes clear, single lines of authority.
More about Span of Control
Span of control is a fundamental concept in organizational design and management. It affects how the organization is structured and can influence efficiency, communication, and employee supervision.
- Wide span of control (like Victoria’s 40 employees) means a manager supervises many employees directly. This can be efficient in flat organizations with well-trained, experienced employees who require less direct supervision. However, it can also lead to managerial overload and less individual attention.
- Narrow span of control means fewer employees report to a manager, which can increase close supervision and guidance but may also result in more layers of management, higher costs, and slower communication.
The ideal span of control depends on various factors such as the complexity of the tasks, the skill level of the employees, geographic dispersion, and the management style.
Victoria’s span of control of 40 employees indicates a relatively wide span, which suggests she might be managing a group of workers who perform routine, standardized tasks that do not require constant supervision. Understanding span of control helps organizations balance control with flexibility and effective supervision.
In summary, span of control precisely describes the number of employees directly reporting to Victoria, making it the correct choice in this question.