Span of Management:
The span of management, also known as the span of control or span of supervision, refers to the number of subordinates that can be efficiently managed by a superior. It determines the level of authority and responsibility that a manager can effectively handle within an organization.

Narrow Span of Management:
A narrow span of management means that a manager has a limited number of subordinates reporting directly to them. In this case, each manager has fewer employees to supervise, resulting in a flat organizational structure. This means that there are fewer levels of management between the top executives and the front-line employees.

Advantages of Narrow Span of Management:
1. Close Supervision: With a narrow span of management, managers can provide more attention and guidance to each subordinate, resulting in better supervision and control.
2. Effective Communication: Fewer subordinates allow for more effective communication as there are fewer channels to manage. Information can be quickly disseminated and feedback can be easily received.
3. Specialized Attention: Managers can focus on the individual development and training needs of each subordinate, leading to a more skilled and motivated workforce.
4. Better Coordination: With fewer subordinates, coordination and integration of tasks become easier, resulting in smoother workflow and increased efficiency.

Disadvantages of Narrow Span of Management:
1. Limited Autonomy: Subordinates may feel micromanaged and have less autonomy in decision-making, which can hinder their creativity and initiative.
2. Bottleneck in Decision-Making: With limited managerial capacity, decision-making may become slower as managers have to handle a larger number of tasks and individuals.
3. Higher Costs: A narrow span of management requires more managers to handle a given number of employees, which can lead to increased administrative costs.

Wide Span of Management:
A wide span of management means that a manager has a larger number of subordinates reporting directly to them. This leads to a tall organizational structure with multiple levels of management between top executives and front-line employees.

Advantages of Wide Span of Management:
1. Faster Decision-Making: With a wider span, decisions can be made more quickly as there are fewer layers of management to consult.
2. Increased Flexibility: Managers can delegate more authority and empower subordinates, allowing for greater flexibility and adaptability to changing circumstances.
3. Cost-Effective: A wide span of management requires fewer managers, resulting in lower administrative costs.
4. Employee Development: Subordinates have more opportunities for decision-making and responsibility, which can enhance their skills, motivation, and career growth.

Disadvantages of Wide Span of Management:
1. Limited Supervision: With a larger number of subordinates, it becomes more challenging for managers to provide individual attention and supervision to each employee.
2. Communication Challenges: A wide span of management can lead to communication gaps and a lack of clarity in conveying information across the organization.
3. Reduced Control: Managers may find it difficult to maintain control and ensure consistency in decision-making and implementation across a large number of subordinates.

Conclusion:
The span of management refers to the number of subordinates that can be efficiently managed by a superior. A narrow span of management results in a flat organizational structure with advantages such as close supervision and effective communication, but disadvantages such as limited autonomy and slower decision-making. On the other hand, a wide span of management leads to