Which of the following is a disadvantage of a tall structure?

• A. Communication and decision-making can be slow due to the many levels of the structure
• B. The organisation can be slow to react to changes in the market
• C. The narrow span of control means that staff can be put under pressure due to the close supervision of managers
• D. The span of control also means that there is less delegation, meaning that employees feel less trusted and therefore less motivated

Answer: (C)

In a tall organization, the span of control is narrow, meaning each manager supervises only a few subordinates. This setup allows managers to supervise more closely and with greater frequency. That close supervision can place staff under constant checks and tight deadlines, which often creates a sense of pressure and reduces their autonomy. The result is higher stress and a feeling of being under micromanagement, which is a clear downside of a tall structure.

While other issues like slower communication or slower reaction to market changes can accompany tall organizations, the most direct negative impact described here is the pressure employees feel from close supervision due to the narrow span of control.