(a) Explain five factors that determine the span of control
(b) Give five functions of the personnel department in a business establishment
Explanation
(a) Factors determining the span of control are:
(1) The size of an organisation determines the number of subordinates be supervised.
(ii) The frequency /number of interpersonal relationships between the manager and his subordinates. determines the effectiveness of the span of control within the framework of an organization.
(iii) The training and experience of the manager: A well trained and experienced manager will have a larger number of subordinates under him.
(iv) The higher the education, training and experience of the subordinates the lower the number of the subordinates too.
(v) The amount of time that a manager spends on non-supervisory work determines the number of subordinates he can effectively supervise.
(vi) Jobs of repetitive nature requires less supervision and a large number of subordinates to supervise. Complex jobs require more supervision and fewer subordinates to supervise.
(vii) The type of control which the manager exercises, leadership style over his subordinates and the freedom of decision extended to them, affects the number of subordinates to supervise.
(b) The Personnel Department in a business establishment performs certain functions such as:
(i) Give notice of vacancy
(ii) Human resource planning
(iii) Recruitment
(iv) Selection
(v) Testing
(vi) Interviewing
(vii) Placement
(viii) Training
(ix) Discipline
(x) Appraisal
(xi) Promotion
(xii) Retirement
(xiii) Salary administration
(xiv) Welfare/Safety.