Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
Show all topics
Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
Business
3 Dec 2025
198
4 pages
Niamh Douglas @niamhdouglas
Understanding how businesses structure themselves is crucial for your A-Level studies - and it's everywhere around you! From... Show more
Think of tall organisations like traditional corporate ladders - lots of rungs to climb! These structures offer brilliant promotion opportunities that keep staff motivated, plus everyone gets proper support from their line manager. The narrow span of control means managers can actually supervise their teams effectively.
However, tall structures can be painfully slow when you need quick decisions. Messages have to travel through so many levels that by the time information reaches the top, the opportunity might be gone! Plus, all those management salaries make these structures expensive to run.
Flat organisations flip this completely - imagine a pancake instead of a ladder. With fewer management levels, communication zips around quickly, making these businesses super responsive to change. Staff often feel empowered because they're trusted with more responsibility and independence.
Quick Check Can you think of a business that might benefit from being flat (hint think tech startups) versus one that needs to be tall ?
The downside? Managers get stretched thin with wide spans of control, and ambitious employees might jump ship because there aren't many promotion opportunities available.
When businesses need to cut costs fast, delayering removes entire management layers while expecting the same output from remaining staff. It's like removing steps from a staircase - suddenly everyone has to jump higher! This saves money on management wages and speeds up decision-making, but can leave remaining managers feeling overwhelmed.
Downsizing goes further by closing or merging whole operations. Companies do this to slash costs and stay competitive, but it's often a last resort when times get tough.
Centralised organisations concentrate all major decisions at the top, then pass them down through the hierarchy. Think of it like a puppet master controlling all the strings - everything stays uniform and consistent across the business because everyone follows the same standardised procedures.
Real World McDonald's uses centralisation to ensure your Big Mac tastes identical whether you buy it in Manchester or Mumbai!
The problem? Local branches can't adapt quickly to their specific market needs, and staff often feel demotivated because they never get to make meaningful decisions about their own work.
Decentralised organisations flip the script by pushing decision-making power down to individual departments and branches. Local managers get the freedom to respond to their specific market conditions using their insider knowledge - and staff love the creative freedom this brings!
However, this freedom comes with risks. Branch managers might not have the experience of head office executives, leading to costly mistakes. Different branches might even start competing against each other instead of working together, making it harder to maintain a strong company culture.
Matrix structures create temporary cross-functional teams for specific projects, pulling together people with different skills and backgrounds. Once the project ends, everyone returns to their normal roles.
Example A car manufacturer might create a matrix team with engineers, designers, and marketing experts to develop a new model.
These structures are fantastic for innovation because diverse viewpoints spark creativity, and team members learn valuable new skills from each other. The downside? They're expensive to run, and team members often struggle with conflicting priorities when they're reporting to both their regular manager and the project leader.
Entrepreneurial structures are the simplest of all - perfect for small and medium businesses where one or two key people (usually the owner) make all the major decisions. Think of your local independent café or family-run shop where the owner handles everything from ordering stock to hiring staff.
The beauty of this structure lies in its speed and expertise. The entrepreneur knows their business inside out and can make decisions instantly without committees or lengthy approval processes. When opportunities arise, they can pivot quickly to grab them.
But there's a massive downside - the workload issue. Everything falls on the entrepreneur's shoulders, from strategic planning to day-to-day operations. This can lead to burnout and becomes unsustainable as the business grows.
Think About It Why do you think many successful small businesses eventually have to change their structure as they expand?
Most entrepreneurial businesses eventually need to evolve their structure as they grow, moving towards more formal management layers to share the decision-making burden and allow for continued expansion.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
7
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Niamh Douglas
@niamhdouglas
Understanding how businesses structure themselves is crucial for your A-Level studies - and it's everywhere around you! From the local shop where one person makes all decisions to massive corporations with layers of management, every organisation you encounter has chosen... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Think of tall organisations like traditional corporate ladders - lots of rungs to climb! These structures offer brilliant promotion opportunities that keep staff motivated, plus everyone gets proper support from their line manager. The narrow span of control means managers can actually supervise their teams effectively.
However, tall structures can be painfully slow when you need quick decisions. Messages have to travel through so many levels that by the time information reaches the top, the opportunity might be gone! Plus, all those management salaries make these structures expensive to run.
Flat organisations flip this completely - imagine a pancake instead of a ladder. With fewer management levels, communication zips around quickly, making these businesses super responsive to change. Staff often feel empowered because they're trusted with more responsibility and independence.
Quick Check: Can you think of a business that might benefit from being flat (hint: think tech startups) versus one that needs to be tall ?
The downside? Managers get stretched thin with wide spans of control, and ambitious employees might jump ship because there aren't many promotion opportunities available.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
When businesses need to cut costs fast, delayering removes entire management layers while expecting the same output from remaining staff. It's like removing steps from a staircase - suddenly everyone has to jump higher! This saves money on management wages and speeds up decision-making, but can leave remaining managers feeling overwhelmed.
Downsizing goes further by closing or merging whole operations. Companies do this to slash costs and stay competitive, but it's often a last resort when times get tough.
Centralised organisations concentrate all major decisions at the top, then pass them down through the hierarchy. Think of it like a puppet master controlling all the strings - everything stays uniform and consistent across the business because everyone follows the same standardised procedures.
Real World: McDonald's uses centralisation to ensure your Big Mac tastes identical whether you buy it in Manchester or Mumbai!
The problem? Local branches can't adapt quickly to their specific market needs, and staff often feel demotivated because they never get to make meaningful decisions about their own work.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Decentralised organisations flip the script by pushing decision-making power down to individual departments and branches. Local managers get the freedom to respond to their specific market conditions using their insider knowledge - and staff love the creative freedom this brings!
However, this freedom comes with risks. Branch managers might not have the experience of head office executives, leading to costly mistakes. Different branches might even start competing against each other instead of working together, making it harder to maintain a strong company culture.
Matrix structures create temporary cross-functional teams for specific projects, pulling together people with different skills and backgrounds. Once the project ends, everyone returns to their normal roles.
Example: A car manufacturer might create a matrix team with engineers, designers, and marketing experts to develop a new model.
These structures are fantastic for innovation because diverse viewpoints spark creativity, and team members learn valuable new skills from each other. The downside? They're expensive to run, and team members often struggle with conflicting priorities when they're reporting to both their regular manager and the project leader.
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Entrepreneurial structures are the simplest of all - perfect for small and medium businesses where one or two key people (usually the owner) make all the major decisions. Think of your local independent café or family-run shop where the owner handles everything from ordering stock to hiring staff.
The beauty of this structure lies in its speed and expertise. The entrepreneur knows their business inside out and can make decisions instantly without committees or lengthy approval processes. When opportunities arise, they can pivot quickly to grab them.
But there's a massive downside - the workload issue. Everything falls on the entrepreneur's shoulders, from strategic planning to day-to-day operations. This can lead to burnout and becomes unsustainable as the business grows.
Think About It: Why do you think many successful small businesses eventually have to change their structure as they expand?
Most entrepreneurial businesses eventually need to evolve their structure as they grow, moving towards more formal management layers to share the decision-making burden and allow for continued expansion.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
7
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Quotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology