Final answer:
A characteristic that is NOT associated with a narrow span of control is a greater distance between the top and bottom of the organization. Instead, a narrow span often means tighter supervision and less opportunity to delegate, and it may lead to more levels of hierarchy within the business.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the choices provided, the one that is NOT a characteristic of a narrow span of control is: D. The distance between the top and bottom of the organisation is greater. A narrow span of control typically refers to a situation where a manager supervises a small number of subordinates. This creates a situation with tighter supervision and control, as there are fewer employees to manage, leading to more direct oversight and potentially more detailed feedback and support.
However, a narrow span of control does not inherently mean that the distance between the top and bottom of the organization is greater. In fact, a narrow span can sometimes lead to a taller organizational structure (i.e., more levels of hierarchy) because each manager has fewer direct reports, which might be seen as creating a smaller hierarchy within the business. Yet, it doesn't directly relate to the physical or organizational 'distance' between the highest and lowest levels within the company.
Additionally, with a narrow span of control, managers have less opportunity to delegate, as there are fewer employees to whom tasks can be assigned. This can sometimes limit the potential for employees to develop new skills and responsibilities through delegated tasks.