Final answer:
Flat organizational structures are characterized by a relatively wide span of control, facilitating quick decision-making, and promoting direct communication. They contrast with bureaucratic structures that may be more rigid and impersonal. The correct option for the stated question is Option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Flat organizational structures are becoming more prevalent in today's business landscape, moving away from the traditional hierarchy to embrace teamwork and collegial relationships between managers, coworkers, and even between different levels within the company. The essence of a flat organizational structure is in its relatively wide span of control, where a manager supervises a large number of employees, fostering direct communication and quicker decision-making processes. This contrasts with bureaucratic organizations that feature an impersonal approach, rigid hierarchies, and a clear division of labor, which can sometimes impede flexibility and decrease productivity and efficiency in the information age.
While bureaucracies are characterized by their efficiency in serving large populations, clear division of labor, and desire to avoid favoritism through impersonality, they are also known for slow responses and lack of personal attention to individual needs. This impersonality can often lead to customers feeling that organizations, such as Walmart, do not care about the community or individual requirements. Flat organizational structures avoid such pitfalls by ensuring that decision-making is closer to the operational level and more responsive to changes.
Therefore, based on the attributes defined, we can conclude that flat organizational structures are characterized by a relatively wide span of control. This enables organizations to react dynamically to the competitive environment and facilitate interaction and communication among employees, which are crucial in the fast-paced business world of today. Hence, the mention of the correct option in the final part of the question's answer is Option C.