In a tall organization with many management levels, what type of span of control is generally expected?

In a tall organization characterized by having many management levels, a narrow span of control is generally expected. This is because a narrow span of control refers to a situation where a manager oversees a small number of subordinates.

In a tall organizational structure, the hierarchy is intensive, with many levels of management. Each level often has a specific focus and needs careful supervision. By having a narrower span of control, managers can provide more direct oversight, ensuring that their limited number of subordinates are well-managed and supported in their roles. This facilitates closer communication, more effective monitoring of performance, and greater opportunities for coaching and development of employees, which is crucial in a setting where management layers are numerous and complexity is increased.

On the other hand, options that suggest a wide span of control or variable span of control do not align with the characteristics of a tall organization. A wide span is more typical of a flat organization where managers oversee many employees and can delegate effectively due to established frameworks and protocols. Conversely, the concept of no span of control is not applicable since every manager is responsible for managing some subordinates, even if that number is low in a tall structure. Thus, the expectation of a narrow span of control in a tall organization supports its structure and management