Mike Morrell is a production supervisor in Porco Rosso, an aircraft manufacturing firm. After evaluating Mike's managerial capabilities, some members of the senior management feel that average productivity would improve if more workers are assigned to him. However, some managers are skeptical about Mike's ability to handle more workers.
-Which of the following statements, if true, would support the argument favoring increased span of control?
A) Mike's team consists of highly experienced and skilled labor.
B) Mike's team is highly dependent on his guidance, even on minor issues.
C) Porco Rosso recently became the world's leading aircraft manufacturer.
D) Mike is receiving increasing complaints about interpersonal conflicts within the team.
E) When additional workers were assigned to Mike on a previous occasion, it had led to unfavorable results.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If Mike's team consists of highly experienced and skilled labor, it indicates that they may not require as much guidance from Mike, making it easier for him to handle more workers. This would support the argument favoring increased span of control. None of the other options provide support for increasing Mike's span of control. B indicates that Mike's team is highly dependent on him, making it less likely that he can handle more workers. C is irrelevant to Mike's performance as a manager. D suggests that there are issues with interpersonal conflicts within Mike's team, indicating that adding more workers may exacerbate these issues. E suggests that adding workers in the past did not lead to favorable outcomes, making it less likely that it would be successful this time.

Mike Morrell Is a Production Supervisor in Porco Rosso, an Aircraft