Question

Kendra works as a sales representative for a large company. she reports to a regional sales manager, who in turn reports to the national sales manager. the national sales manager takes orders from the ceo of the company, who reports to the board of directors. this best describes which element of organizational structure?

a) chain of command
b) span of control
c) formalization
d) centralization

Answer 1

The description of Kendra's work structure exemplifies a 'chain of command', which is a key component of a hierarchy of authority in organizational structures, establishing clear levels of responsibility and reporting relationships within a company.

Step-by-step explanation:

The scenario describing Kendra's position within her company clearly illustrates the concept of a hierarchy of authority, which is best defined as the chain of command. This element of organizational structure establishes levels of responsibility and authority across different positions within a business. Kendra, a sales representative, reports to a regional sales manager, followed by a national sales manager, who then reports to the CEO, with the CEO being accountable to the company's board of directors.

This hierarchical structure ensures that orders and messages flow in an organized manner from the top of the organization to the bottom, and vice versa. In this traditional hierarchy, every individual has a designated supervisor or manager they report to, defining clear lines of responsibility and control.

Modern organizations, however, may show a shift towards flatter structures which emphasize teamwork, but in the case described, the structure remains traditional. It is important for employees like Kendra to understand their place within the reporting structure to navigate their roles effectively and understand who they should approach for guidance or decisions.