Posted: March 16th, 2017

Compare and contrast wide and narrow spans of control, with reference to the factors of task similarity, training and professionalism, task certainty, frequency of interaction, task integration, and physical dispersion.

As their facilities grow in size, hotel managers are faced with the need to group certain jobs in order to ensure efficient coordination and control of activities. A general grouping is front-of-house and back-of-house; however, separating departments by function is the most common method of organizing a hotel.
a) Briefly outline the departmental structure of a small, limited service hotel, and explain the interdependence that exists between each department. (2 marks)
b) Comment on the distribution of authority in centralised and decentralised organisational structures, giving examples of the advantages and disadvantages of each structure. (2 marks)
c) Compare and contrast wide and narrow spans of control, with reference to the factors of task similarity, training and professionalism, task certainty, frequency of interaction, task integration, and physical dispersion. (6 marks)