A flat management structure, which is also known as the horizontal model, in an organisational composition in business, where there is virtually no hierarchy present. This promotes direct contact between frontline employees and those in managerial positions, which is not only possible and welcomed, but expected. In elimination, it is believed that the flat management model enables a greater and more candid exchange of ideas, with all voices given the opportunity to have an input on business decisions.
The thinking behind it is that the more involved an employee is within the company, the happier they will be, the more they will care about the roles they are asked to perform and the more productive they will be, in turn making the company more profitable; a win-win for all concerned.
While an idealistic structure, it is deemed by some to only be suitable in relatively small companies, and the bigger the company gets, the more likely it will revert to a more traditional management hierarchy.
If the traditional organisational structure can be likened to an autocracy, where higher management decide the direction of the company and the metaphorical troops on the ground offered no say or influence, then a flat management structure can be analogized as a democracy.
The non-profit watchdog WorldBlu believes that just because a company is large that they have to abandon democracy at work, and are at the forefront of promoting democratic practises in the work place and recognizing those companies that do, stating as their aim, the ambitious goal of seeing one billion people working in democratic business environments. Their website, along with a list of recognized businesses can be viewed at www.worldblu.com.
The thinking behind it is that the more involved an employee is within the company, the happier they will be, the more they will care about the roles they are asked to perform and the more productive they will be, in turn making the company more profitable; a win-win for all concerned.
While an idealistic structure, it is deemed by some to only be suitable in relatively small companies, and the bigger the company gets, the more likely it will revert to a more traditional management hierarchy.
If the traditional organisational structure can be likened to an autocracy, where higher management decide the direction of the company and the metaphorical troops on the ground offered no say or influence, then a flat management structure can be analogized as a democracy.
The non-profit watchdog WorldBlu believes that just because a company is large that they have to abandon democracy at work, and are at the forefront of promoting democratic practises in the work place and recognizing those companies that do, stating as their aim, the ambitious goal of seeing one billion people working in democratic business environments. Their website, along with a list of recognized businesses can be viewed at www.worldblu.com.