Spannanleitarstjórnun

Spannanleitarstjórnun is an Icelandic term that translates to "span-of-control management" in English. It refers to the management principle that determines the number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise. This concept is a fundamental aspect of organizational design and management theory. The optimal span of control depends on various factors, including the complexity of the work, the skills and experience of the employees, the manager's capabilities, and the organizational culture.

A narrow span of control means a manager supervises a small number of employees. This can lead to closer supervision, more direct communication, and potentially quicker decision-making for individual tasks. However, it also results in a taller organizational hierarchy, with more layers of management, which can increase costs and slow down communication across the organization.

Conversely, a wide span of control means a manager supervises a larger number of employees. This can lead to a flatter organizational structure, reduced management overhead, and increased employee autonomy. However, it may require employees to be more self-sufficient and can potentially lead to less direct support or supervision from the manager, which might be challenging for less experienced staff or more complex tasks. The goal of spannanleitarstjórnun is to find a balance that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness within a given organizational context.