CBSE Class 12 Business Studies Chapter 5 Organising Notes | Process, Delegation & Decentralisation

 

CBSE Class 12 Business Studies Unit 5 – Organising Notes

Organising – Complete Notes, Important Questions & Answers

Class: 12
Subject: Business Studies
Unit: 5 – Organising
Board: CBSE
Exam Focus: Concept + Process + Organisation Structure + Delegation + Decentralisation


1. Meaning of Organising

After planning the business activities, the next step is Organising.

Organising means identifying the activities, grouping similar activities, assigning duties, establishing authority and responsibility relationships, and coordinating the efforts of employees to achieve organisational objectives.

Simple Example

Suppose a school is organising an annual function.

Different activities are required:

  • Decoration

  • Food arrangement

  • Cultural programme

  • Invitation

  • Discipline

  • Finance

The school principal cannot perform all these activities alone. Therefore, activities are divided among different teachers and committees.

This is called Organising.

Easy Definition

Organising is the process of arranging resources and activities and assigning duties to people so that organisational objectives can be achieved effectively.


2. Importance of Organising

Organising is important for every business because it provides a systematic way of performing work.

1. Benefits of Specialisation

Organising divides the total work into different jobs.

When employees perform specialised jobs regularly, they become more skilled and efficient.

Example:
In a company, one employee handles recruitment while another handles salary administration.


2. Clarity in Working Relationships

Organising clearly defines:

  • Who has to perform the work?

  • Who will report to whom?

  • Who has authority?

  • Who is responsible for a particular task?

This reduces confusion among employees.


3. Optimum Utilisation of Resources

Organising helps in the proper utilisation of:

  • Human resources

  • Financial resources

  • Physical resources

  • Material resources

It reduces duplication and wastage of resources.


4. Adaptation to Change

Business conditions keep changing.

Organising provides flexibility to make changes in:

  • Jobs

  • Departments

  • Authority

  • Responsibilities

  • Organisational structure

Therefore, the organisation can adjust to changes in the business environment.


5. Effective Administration

Organising establishes relationships between different levels of management.

It helps managers coordinate the activities of different departments and employees.


6. Development of Personnel

Organising provides employees with opportunities to take responsibility.

Delegation of authority helps employees develop:

  • Skills

  • Confidence

  • Decision-making ability

  • Leadership qualities


7. Expansion and Growth

A well-organised business can easily expand its activities.

Proper division of work and delegation of authority make it easier for management to handle a larger organisation.


3. Organising Process

Organising is a systematic process.

The main steps are:

Step 1: Identification and Division of Work

The first step is to identify all activities necessary to achieve organisational objectives.

The total work is divided into smaller jobs.

Example:
Production, marketing, finance, human resources and sales.


Step 2: Departmentalisation

After dividing the work, similar activities are grouped together.

These groups are called departments.

Example:

  • Production Department

  • Finance Department

  • Marketing Department

  • Human Resource Department


Step 3: Assignment of Duties

After creating departments, specific jobs are assigned to employees according to their skills and abilities.

Example:
An accountant is given responsibility for maintaining financial records.


Step 4: Establishing Reporting Relationships

The next step is to establish relationships between employees and managers.

It decides:

  • Who will report to whom?

  • Who will give instructions?

  • Who will be responsible for the work?


Organising Process – Easy Flow

Identification of Work

Division of Work

Departmentalisation

Assignment of Duties

Establishing Reporting Relationships


4. Organisation Structure

Organisation structure refers to the framework within which managerial and operating tasks are performed.

It shows:

  • Different positions

  • Departments

  • Authority relationships

  • Responsibility

  • Communication relationships

Two important types of organisation structure are:

  1. Functional Structure

  2. Divisional Structure


5. Functional Structure

A functional structure groups similar activities into separate departments according to functions.

Example

A company may have:

Production Department
Marketing Department
Finance Department
Human Resource Department

Each department performs a specialised function.

Diagram

Top Management

Production | Marketing | Finance | Human Resource


Features of Functional Structure

  1. Activities are grouped according to functions.

  2. Each department performs a specialised function.

  3. Functional heads are responsible for their respective departments.

  4. It promotes specialisation.

  5. Coordination is required between different functional departments.


Advantages of Functional Structure

1. Specialisation

Employees perform specialised activities, which increases efficiency.

2. Better Coordination

Activities related to the same function are grouped together.

3. Easy Supervision

Functional managers can easily supervise employees performing similar activities.

4. Efficient Use of Resources

Resources are used efficiently because similar activities are grouped together.

5. Suitable for Small and Medium-Sized Organisations

It is particularly useful where the organisation deals with limited products or services.


Limitations of Functional Structure

1. Difficult Coordination

Different departments may focus mainly on their own objectives.

2. Conflict Between Departments

Departments may sometimes blame each other when organisational objectives are not achieved.

3. Delay in Decision-Making

Important decisions involving several departments may take more time.

4. Difficult to Fix Responsibility

When several departments are involved in a decision, fixing responsibility for poor performance may become difficult.

5. Not Suitable for Diversified Organisations

When a company has many different products or business lines, functional structure may become difficult to manage.


6. Divisional Structure

Under divisional structure, an organisation is divided into separate divisions based on:

  • Product

  • Territory

  • Customer group

Each division generally performs its own major business functions such as production, marketing and finance.

Example

A company manufactures:

  • Cars

  • Trucks

  • Motorcycles

It may create separate divisions for each product.

Company

Car Division | Truck Division | Motorcycle Division

Each division may have its own:

  • Production

  • Marketing

  • Finance

  • Sales


Advantages of Divisional Structure

1. Product Specialisation

Each division focuses on a particular product or business area.

2. Faster Decision-Making

Divisional managers have greater authority to take decisions related to their division.

3. Fixation of Responsibility

Performance of each division can be measured separately.

4. Flexibility

Changes can be made within a particular division without disturbing the entire organisation.

5. Facilitates Expansion

New product divisions can be added relatively easily.


Limitations of Divisional Structure

1. Costly

Each division may have its own departments such as finance, marketing and HR. This can increase costs.

2. Duplication of Activities

The same activities may be performed separately in different divisions.

3. Conflict Between Divisions

Different divisions may compete with each other for resources.


7. Functional Structure vs Divisional Structure

BasisFunctional StructureDivisional Structure
Basis of groupingFunctionsProducts/business lines
Suitable forLimited product organisationsDiversified organisations
SpecialisationFunctional specialisationProduct/divisional specialisation
ResponsibilityDifficult to fix for final resultEasier to fix
CostGenerally economicalGenerally more costly
DuplicationLess duplicationMore duplication possible
Decision-makingMay be slowerGenerally faster within divisions

8. Formal Organisation

Formal organisation refers to the official structure of authority and relationships created by management to achieve organisational objectives.

It is deliberately created by management.

Example

In a company:

Managing Director → General Manager → Department Manager → Supervisor → Workers

This is a formal relationship because it is officially created by the organisation.

Features of Formal Organisation

  • Created deliberately by management.

  • Based on organisational objectives.

  • Clearly defines authority and responsibility.

  • Establishes official communication channels.

  • Relationships are relatively stable.


9. Informal Organisation

Informal organisation refers to the network of personal and social relationships that develops automatically among employees because of their interaction with one another.

It is not deliberately created by management.

Example

Employees from different departments may become friends and regularly discuss their work during lunch.

This relationship forms an informal organisation.

Features

  • Develops automatically.

  • Based on personal and social relationships.

  • Does not follow official organisational structure.

  • Communication can be faster.

  • It may support the formal organisation.


10. Formal Organisation vs Informal Organisation

BasisFormal OrganisationInformal Organisation
FormationDeliberately createdDevelops automatically
PurposeAchievement of organisational objectivesSatisfaction of social and personal needs
AuthorityBased on official positionBased on personal relationships
CommunicationOfficial channelsInformal channels
StabilityRelatively stableLess stable
RulesFollows official rulesNo fixed official rules

11. Delegation

Delegation means giving authority to a subordinate to perform a particular task while the manager remains accountable for the final outcome.

Simple Example

A sales manager asks a sales executive to prepare the monthly sales report and gives him the authority to collect required information.

This is delegation.

Important Point

Delegation does not mean that the manager gives away all responsibility.

The manager remains accountable for the final result.


12. Elements of Delegation

There are three important elements of delegation:

  1. Authority

  2. Responsibility

  3. Accountability

Easy Formula

Delegation = Authority + Responsibility + Accountability


1. Authority

Authority means the right to give orders and make decisions.

A subordinate needs sufficient authority to perform the assigned task.

Example:
A purchase manager is given authority to purchase materials up to ₹50,000.


2. Responsibility

Responsibility means the obligation of a subordinate to perform the assigned task properly.

When a manager assigns a task, the subordinate becomes responsible for completing it.

Example:
The purchase manager is responsible for arranging the required materials.


3. Accountability

Accountability means being answerable for the final outcome of the assigned work.

A subordinate is accountable to the superior for the performance of the assigned responsibility.

Key Relationship

Authority → flows downward

Responsibility → arises from assigned work

Accountability → flows upward

Very Important CBSE Point

Authority can be delegated, responsibility can be assigned, but accountability cannot be delegated.


13. Importance of Delegation

1. Effective Management

Delegation reduces the workload of managers and allows them to concentrate on important activities.

2. Employee Development

Subordinates get opportunities to make decisions and develop managerial skills.

3. Motivation of Employees

Delegation gives employees a sense of importance and encourages them to perform better.

4. Facilitates Growth

When managers delegate authority, they can handle more activities.

5. Basis of Management Hierarchy

Delegation establishes relationships between superiors and subordinates.

6. Better Coordination

Clear authority and responsibility relationships improve coordination.


14. Decentralisation

Decentralisation refers to the systematic dispersal of decision-making authority to lower levels of management.

In simple words:

Decentralisation means giving decision-making power to managers at different lower levels of the organisation.

Example

A company allows regional managers to decide:

  • Local advertising

  • Sales strategies

  • Customer offers

within certain limits.

This is decentralisation.


15. Importance of Decentralisation

1. Develops Managerial Talent

Managers at lower levels get opportunities to make decisions.

This helps develop future managers.


2. Quick Decision-Making

Decisions can be taken at the level where information is available.

This reduces delays.


3. Promotes Initiative

Managers get freedom to take decisions within their authority.

This encourages initiative.


4. Develops Managerial Skills

Lower-level managers gain experience by handling real business situations.


5. Promotes Growth

Top management can concentrate on major strategic issues while lower-level managers handle routine decisions.


6. Facilitates Control

Performance of different departments or divisions can be evaluated based on their results.


16. Delegation vs Decentralisation

BasisDelegationDecentralisation
MeaningTransfer of authority from superior to subordinateSystematic dispersal of authority throughout the organisation
ScopeNarrowWider
NatureIndividual relationshipOrganisation-wide policy
NecessityEssential for managementOptional policy decision
PurposeSharing workloadIncreasing participation in decision-making
ExampleManager gives authority to assistantCompany gives decision-making power to regional managers

Remember

Delegation is a process.

Decentralisation is the result/policy of systematic delegation at different levels.


17. Important CBSE Class 12 Questions with Answers

Q1. What is meant by Organising?

Answer:

Organising is the process of identifying and grouping activities, assigning duties, establishing authority and responsibility relationships and coordinating the efforts of employees to achieve organisational objectives.


Q2. State any three points of importance of organising.

Answer:

Three points are:

  1. Benefits of specialisation: Division of work allows employees to specialise in particular activities.

  2. Clarity in working relationships: It clearly defines authority, responsibility and reporting relationships.

  3. Optimum utilisation of resources: It helps in proper utilisation of human and physical resources.


Q3. Explain the steps involved in the process of organising.

Answer:

The organising process involves:

  1. Identification and division of work

  2. Departmentalisation

  3. Assignment of duties

  4. Establishing reporting relationships

These steps help in creating a clear and systematic organisational structure.


Q4. What is functional structure? State any two advantages.

Answer:

Functional structure is an organisational structure in which similar activities are grouped together according to functions.

Examples include:

  • Production

  • Marketing

  • Finance

  • Human Resource

Advantages:

  1. It promotes functional specialisation.

  2. It facilitates supervision because similar activities are grouped together.


Q5. What is divisional structure?

Answer:

Divisional structure is an organisational structure in which an organisation is divided into separate divisions based on products, territories or customer groups.

For example, a company may have separate divisions for cars, trucks and motorcycles.


Q6. State any three advantages of divisional structure.

Answer:

  1. Product specialisation: Each division focuses on a particular product.

  2. Quick decision-making: Divisional managers can take decisions relating to their division.

  3. Fixation of responsibility: Performance of each division can be measured separately.


Q7. What is formal organisation?

Answer:

Formal organisation refers to the officially defined structure of authority and relationships created by management to achieve organisational objectives.

It clearly defines:

  • Authority

  • Responsibility

  • Reporting relationships

  • Communication channels


Q8. What is informal organisation?

Answer:

Informal organisation refers to the network of personal and social relationships that develops automatically among employees because of their interaction with one another.


Q9. What is delegation?

Answer:

Delegation is the process of assigning responsibility, granting authority and creating accountability for the performance of assigned work.

The three elements of delegation are:

  1. Authority

  2. Responsibility

  3. Accountability


Q10. Explain the three elements of delegation.

Answer:

1. Authority

Authority is the right to give orders and make decisions.

2. Responsibility

Responsibility is the obligation of a subordinate to perform the assigned task.

3. Accountability

Accountability means being answerable for the final outcome of the assigned work.


Q11. Why is delegation important?

Answer:

Delegation is important because:

  1. It reduces the workload of managers.

  2. It develops employees.

  3. It motivates employees.

  4. It facilitates organisational growth.

  5. It establishes management hierarchy.

  6. It improves coordination.


Q12. What is decentralisation?

Answer:

Decentralisation refers to the systematic dispersal of decision-making authority to lower levels of management.

It allows managers at different levels to take decisions within their area of authority.


Q13. State any four importance of decentralisation.

Answer:

  1. Develops managerial talent

  2. Promotes initiative

  3. Quick decision-making

  4. Develops managerial skills


18. Case-Based Question

Question

ABC Ltd. manufactures different products such as refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners. The company creates separate divisions for each product. Every division has its own production, marketing and finance departments.

Questions:

a) Identify the organisation structure.

Answer: Divisional structure.

b) State one advantage of this structure.

Answer: It provides product specialisation.

c) State one limitation of this structure.

Answer: There may be duplication of activities because each division may have its own production, marketing and finance departments.


19. Case-Based Question on Delegation

Question

The sales manager of XYZ Ltd. assigns the responsibility of preparing the monthly sales report to his assistant. He gives the assistant authority to collect sales information from different departments. However, the sales manager remains answerable for the final report.

Questions:

a) Identify the management concept involved.

Answer: Delegation.

b) Identify the authority given to the assistant.

Answer: The assistant has been given the right to collect sales information from different departments.

c) Which element cannot be delegated by the manager?

Answer: Accountability.


20. Case-Based Question on Decentralisation

Question

A large retail company allows its regional managers to take decisions regarding local advertising, customer offers and sales strategies within prescribed limits.

Questions:

a) Identify the concept involved.

Answer: Decentralisation.

b) State one benefit of this practice.

Answer: It facilitates quick decision-making because decisions can be taken at the appropriate level.

c) Name one more benefit.

Answer: It promotes initiative among lower-level managers.


21. Quick Revision – Organising at a Glance

Organising

Meaning: Arrangement of activities, resources, authority and responsibility.

Organising Process

Division of Work → Departmentalisation → Assignment of Duties → Reporting Relationships

Organisation Structure

Functional Structure → Grouping according to functions

Divisional Structure → Grouping according to products/territories/customer groups

Formal Organisation

Officially created structure

Informal Organisation

Naturally developed social relationships

Delegation

Authority + Responsibility + Accountability

Decentralisation

Systematic dispersal of decision-making authority


22. Most Important Topics for CBSE Board Exam

Students should prepare these topics particularly well:

  1. Meaning and importance of organising

  2. Steps in organising process

  3. Functional structure – meaning, advantages and limitations

  4. Divisional structure – meaning, advantages and limitations

  5. Difference between functional and divisional structure

  6. Formal and informal organisation

  7. Delegation – meaning and elements

  8. Importance of delegation

  9. Decentralisation – meaning and importance

  10. Difference between delegation and decentralisation

  11. Case-study questions based on delegation

  12. Case-study questions based on functional/divisional structure


Conclusion

Organising is an important function of management because it creates a systematic arrangement of work, authority and responsibility. A proper organisation structure helps employees understand their roles and improves coordination. Delegation helps managers share workload and develop employees, while decentralisation distributes decision-making authority across different levels of management.

For CBSE Class 12 Business Studies, students should focus not only on definitions but also on differences, advantages, limitations and case-study applications. Understanding the concepts with practical examples makes this chapter much easier to revise and score well in the board examination.

Prepared for CBSE Class 12 Business Studies students – CommerceWallah12 (Shobhan Joshi)


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