Final answer:
The 'span of control' refers to the number of subordinates who directly report to a supervisor. This concept is integral in organizational structures and affects both efficiency and employee job satisfaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term span of control is best defined as The number of immediate subordinates who report to any one supervisor. This concept falls under the broader topic of organizational structure and hierarchy, specifically focusing on the layers of authority and how they interact within a company. In any hierarchy of authority, the chain of command is paramount, delineating the procession from top-tier roles such as the CEO to front-line employees. For example, in a retail organization like Walmart, you have a clear appreciation of this principle in action, with employees reporting to their shift managers, who then report up their respective management lines all the way to the board members and subsequently, the stockholders.
Understanding span of control is critical for efficient organizational management and can influence managerial approaches, impacting overall job and career satisfaction. It's important to recognize the role of span of control in both traditional hierarchical systems and in modern, flatter organizational structures, which may encourage a more collaborative, two-way street approach between managers and employees.