23. "Measuring a Person's Capacity for Interaction in a Problem Solving Group"

ABSTRACT

The problem of combining the determinants of the span of control of a supervisor in a hierarchy is extended to that of deriving an expression for the maximum number of subordinates a person can have. This maximum is constrained by the norm set by the group and considers slack time, internal calculation time, and times for interacting with supervisors and colleagues as well as subordinates. The expression for maximum span of control is then modified for use with empirical data from actual groups. A discussion of some of the data problems and a solution to these problems is presented. Among these problems are learning, varying problem complexity, and clock errors. The analysis of the determinants of the maximum span of control has implications for management. A few of these implications are presented.