Which characteristic describes a tall organizational structure?

Which characteristic describes a tall organizational structure?

• A. Wide span of control
• B. Flat organization with few levels
• C. Many levels of management
• D. Rapid decision making at the top

Answer: (C)

Tall structures are defined by many levels of management, which creates a narrow span of control for each manager and a longer chain of command from top to bottom. Because there are multiple layers, communication and decision processes pass through several levels, so decisions often take longer to be made and implemented. This combination—many management levels and slower decision flow—best describes a tall organization. An option about a wide span of control would point to a flatter structure, since a manager supervising many employees usually happens when there are fewer layers. A flat organization with few levels is the opposite of a tall structure. Rapid decision making at the top implies quick, centralized control, which doesn’t align with the slower, multi-layered nature of tall structures.

Tall structures are defined by many levels of management, which creates a narrow span of control for each manager and a longer chain of command from top to bottom. Because there are multiple layers, communication and decision processes pass through several levels, so decisions often take longer to be made and implemented. This combination—many management levels and slower decision flow—best describes a tall organization.

An option about a wide span of control would point to a flatter structure, since a manager supervising many employees usually happens when there are fewer layers. A flat organization with few levels is the opposite of a tall structure. Rapid decision making at the top implies quick, centralized control, which doesn’t align with the slower, multi-layered nature of tall structures.