The Span of Management has two implications:
1. Influences the complexities of the individual manager’s job.
2. Determine the shape or configuration of the Organization.
The span of management is related to the horizontal levels of the organization structure. There is a wide and a narrow span of management. With the wider span, there will be less hierarchical levels, and thus, the organizational structure would be flatter. Whereas, with the narrow span, the hierarchical levels increases, hence the organizational structure would be tall.
1. Both these organizational structures have their advantages and the disadvantages. But however the tall organizational structure imposes more challenges.
2. Since the span is narrow, which means less number of subordinates under one superior, requires more managers to be employed in the organization. Thus, it would be very expensive in terms of the salaries to be paid to each senior.
3. With more levels in the hierarchy, the communication suffers drastically. It takes a lot of time to reach the appropriate points, and hence the actions get delayed.
4. Lack of coordination and control because the operating staff is far. away from the top management.
