Question

Which of the following terms describes a hierarchical administrative structure organized by ranks with a single person responsible for all personnel in the organization?

a. Command-and-control structure
b. Rank and file
c. Triangle command structure
d. Chain of command

Answer 1

The hierarchical structure described is known as a 'chain of command,' where each member of an organization is responsible to their immediate superior, creating a structured order that facilitates efficiency and clear communication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hierarchical administrative structure that is organized by ranks with a single person responsible for all personnel in the organization is best described as a chain of command. In such an organization, each person is subject to the authority of their immediate superior, and this pattern continues upward until it reaches the top leader, such as a CEO. A well-known example of this is within a retail company like Walmart, where a shift manager assigns tasks to employees, reports to the store manager, who in turn reports to the regional manager, and so on.

This hierarchical structure ensures order and efficiency within large organizations, where tasks and responsibilities are clearly defined and delegated across various levels of the bureaucracy. Despite the advancement towards flatter organizational structures in some industries, the chain of command remains a crucial feature in many traditional bureaucracies, facilitating clear communication and delineating authority.