The more planning required, the narrower the span of control. The more complex, the narrower the span of control. Other factors to consider include professionalism of superiors and subordinates and the number of new problems that occur in a day. The trend is to expand the span of control as organizations get rid of middle managers. The degree to which an organization allows managers at lower levels to make decisions determines the degree of decentralization.
Most organizations have some form of both centralized and decentralized authority.
Describe the differences between line, line and staff, matrix, and cross-functional organizations. There are several ways to structure an organization to accomplish their goals. Both line, and line and staff organization structures suffer from a certain inflexibility. Both have established lines of authority and communication and work well in organizations with relatively unchanging environments and slow product development. The economic, technological, and competitive environments are rapidly changing.