Structures business management

Entrepreneurial structure

- Used primarily by small organisations
- There is one main decision-maker, usually the owner
- Other staff have some input but generally they are rarely consulted

Chain of command

the commands that flow down from the decision makers at the top of the organisation to the workers at the bottom

Hierarchy

Positions within an organisation with different levels of authority and responsibility

Tall structure

A tall structure has many levels of management and resembles a large pyramid, it has a longer chain of command, suits large organisations.

Flat structure

A flat structure is also pyramid shaped, but has fewer levels of management and a shorter chain of command, suits medium to small sized organisations

Centralised structure

An organisational structure where business decisions are made at the top of the hierarchy by senior management/or at the headquarters of a business

Decentralised structure

An organisation that allows staff to make decisions at local/branch level.

Matrix Structure

An organisational structure that involves an organisation being arranged into temporary project teams to carry out a particular task, such as developing a new product or service.