Which of the following factors can expand the span of control at lower levels of an organization?

The correct answer pertains to the complexity of work, which can indeed influence the span of control within an organization. When the work being performed is not overly complex, supervisors are more capable of managing a larger number of employees effectively. A straightforward, routine task allows a supervisor to oversee multiple team members without the risk of losing control over the quality and consistency of the work being done.

In contrast, if the work is complex and requires high levels of supervision, guidance, or specialized knowledge, it becomes challenging for a supervisor to manage many individuals simultaneously. This typically necessitates a smaller span of control to ensure that all employees receive the attention and direction they need to perform their tasks successfully.

Other factors, such as cabinet size, budget constraints, and company policies, play different roles in organizational structure but do not directly influence the span of control as significantly as the nature of the work itself. For instance, while company policies might dictate certain hierarchical structures, they don’t inherently change how many subordinates one supervisor can effectively manage based on work complexity.