Final answer:
A large span of control in an organization results in a flat (horizontal) organizational structure, which is characterized by fewer levels of management and broader managerial responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
A large span of control throughout an organization refers to the number of subordinates that a manager is responsible for overseeing. In recent times, there has been a trend towards flatter organizational structures, which involve fewer levels of hierarchy and broader spans of control. This shift aims to increase efficiency and collaboration within businesses, moving away from rigid hierarchies that were more suited to the industrial age.
Thus, when considering what a large span of control within an organization invariably results in, the answer is d. a flat (horizontal) organizational structure. A flat organizational structure promotes better communication and quicker decision-making but can also lead to work overload for managers since they supervise more employees directly.