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Korte lijnen

English translation: Few (organisational) layers


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GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Dutch term or phrase:Korte lijnen
English translation:Few (organisational) layers
Entered by: Sanmar
Options:
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- Include in personal glossary

11:05 Oct 6, 2005
Dutch to English translations [PRO]
Other
Dutch term or phrase: Korte lijnen
Korte lijnen in de organisatie (d.w.z. weinig afstand tussen management en werknemers),
Sanmar
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:57
Few (organisational) layers
Explanation:
It depends a little bit on what you're asking here. If you're talking about communication between managers and workers then "lines of communication", as suggested by Joost would be the best (IMHO).

However, if you're talking about the structure of the organisation, which facilitates communication, management, etc., then the English (technical, i.e. organisational psychology / business studies) term is "layers".

So the phrase here would be translated as "few (organisational) layers", e.g.

"With fewer layers of management, employees and members of the public alike would benefit from improved communications, consistency and uniformity in service."

ref. http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeoc/reposition/qanda-reposition.ht...

"The reduction of organizational layers is moving employees closer to the point of actual production or service delivery, where quick decision making is crucial."

ref. http://www.trainingedgeasia.com/programs/crest.html
Selected response from:

Adam Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:57
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2Direct lines (of communication)
Joost Simons
4 +1Few (organisational) layers
Adam Smith
4short lines [of communication and a flat/simple hierarchy]
Dave Calderhead
3Flat organisationdutchy_brit


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Direct lines (of communication)


Explanation:
Een mogelijkheid, lijkt me.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 10 mins (2005-10-06 11:16:22 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Al hoeft een kort lijn niet altijd een directe lijn te zijn, uiteraard.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 mins (2005-10-06 11:16:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

kort lijn = korte lijn

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 20 mins (2005-10-06 11:26:24 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

kort lijn = korte lijn

Joost Simons
Local time: 13:57
Native speaker of: Native in DutchDutch

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Jack den Haan
7 mins
agree  Laurens Landkroon
12 mins
neutral  Harry Borsje: direct communication
15 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

23 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
short lines [of communication and a flat/simple hierarchy]


Explanation:
See refs below:

Their culture is expansive, international and is characterized by short lines of communication and an informal and pleasant working atmosphere. ...
www.stepstone.be/offers/offer_detail.cfm?id=284675

delegation of authority, approachable superiors, short lines of communication.
www.eurograduate.com/marketreports/ culture-matters/culture.html

but with simple organization, offers a low flat hierarchy www.isss.org/hierarchy.htm

This creates a simple hierarchy. The basic rule is `unity of command': ... line and staff, no matrixes, large span of responsibility and flat structures. ...
deming.eng.clemson.edu/ pub/tqmbbs/tools-techs/recursve.txt

Dave Calderhead
Netherlands
Local time: 13:57
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 44
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Few (organisational) layers


Explanation:
It depends a little bit on what you're asking here. If you're talking about communication between managers and workers then "lines of communication", as suggested by Joost would be the best (IMHO).

However, if you're talking about the structure of the organisation, which facilitates communication, management, etc., then the English (technical, i.e. organisational psychology / business studies) term is "layers".

So the phrase here would be translated as "few (organisational) layers", e.g.

"With fewer layers of management, employees and members of the public alike would benefit from improved communications, consistency and uniformity in service."

ref. http://www.eeoc.gov/abouteeoc/reposition/qanda-reposition.ht...

"The reduction of organizational layers is moving employees closer to the point of actual production or service delivery, where quick decision making is crucial."

ref. http://www.trainingedgeasia.com/programs/crest.html

Adam Smith
United Kingdom
Local time: 12:57
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tina Vonhof: kan heel goed lijkt me.
5 hrs
  -> Thanks Tina!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

2 days3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Flat organisation


Explanation:
A tall organisation has a larger number of managers with a narrow span of control whilst a flat organisation has few managers with a wide span of control.

A tall organisation can suffer from having too many managers (a huge expense) and decisions can take a long time to reach the bottom of the hierarchy

BUT, a tall organisation can provide good opportunities for promotion and the manager does not have to spend so much time managing the staff

Chain of command is the line on which orders and decisions are passed down from top to bottom of the hierarchy. In a hierarchy the chain of command means that a production manager may be higher up the hierarchy, but will not be able to tell a marketing person what to do.

The advantages of hierarchies are:

Helps create a clear communication line between the top and bottom of the business – this improves co-ordination and motivation since employees know what is expected of them and when.
Hierarchies create departments and departments form teams. There are motivational advantages of working in teams.
The disadvantages of hierarchies are:

The formation of departments can mean that:
- Departments work for themselves and not the greater good of the business.
- Departments do not see the whole picture in making decisions.
Hierarchies can be inflexible and difficult to adjust, especially when businesses need to adapt to changing markets – remember employees do not tend to react well to change.







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Related resources:

GCSE business home
tutor2u online store
GCSE Business Posters
Amazon GCSE Business

Related revision notes:

Aims and objectives of business
Starting a business
Departments in a business
Financing a new business
Growing a business
Sole traders
Partnerships
Limited companies
Franchises
Co-operatives
Span of control
Stakeholders and ethics


Google ad links:


A tall organisation has a larger number of managers with a narrow span of control whilst a flat organisation has few managers with a wide span of control.

A tall organisation can suffer from having too many managers (a huge expense) and decisions can take a long time to reach the bottom of the hierarchy

BUT, a tall organisation can provide good opportunities for promotion and the manager does not have to spend so much time managing the staff

Chain of command is the line on which orders and decisions are passed down from top to bottom of the hierarchy. In a hierarchy the chain of command means that a production manager may be higher up the hierarchy, but will not be able to tell a marketing person what to do.

The advantages of hierarchies are:

Helps create a clear communication line between the top and bottom of the business – this improves co-ordination and motivation since employees know what is expected of them and when.
Hierarchies create departments and departments form teams. There are motivational advantages of working in teams.
The disadvantages of hierarchies are:

The formation of departments can mean that:
- Departments work for themselves and not the greater good of the business.
- Departments do not see the whole picture in making decisions.
Hierarchies can be inflexible and difficult to adjust, especially when businesses need to adapt to changing markets – remember employees do not tend to react well to change.







--------------------------------------------------------------------------------






Home | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us | Meet the Team | What Our Customers Say

Online Learning Resource of the Year - BETT Awards
Many tutor2u resources can be purchased using e-learning credits - please visit our online store for details

Copyright © 2005 Tutor2u Limited. All Rights Reserved; tutor2u™ is a registered trademark (Number: 2332331).





Related resources:

GCSE business home
tutor2u online store
GCSE Business Posters
Amazon GCSE Business

Related revision notes:

Aims and objectives of business
Starting a business
Departments in a business
Financing a new business
Growing a business
Sole traders
Partnerships
Limited companies
Franchises
Co-operatives
Span of control
Stakeholders and ethics


Google ad links:


in contrast to a tall organisation which has a larger number of managers with a narrow span of control, a flat organisation has a few number of managers with a large span of control

Found this in the website underneath, which explains organisational structures.











    Reference: http://www.tutor2u.net/business/gcse/organisation_span_of_co...
dutchy_brit
Local time: 12:57
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