Chapter 7: organization structures and design
Organizing as a Management Function
•
•
Organizing:
– ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________________________________
Organization structure:
– ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
____________________________________
Figure 7.1 Organizing viewed in relationship with the other management functions.
Formal structures
•
•
•
An organization chart is a diagram describing reporting relationships and
the formal arrangement of work positions within an organization
An organization chart identifies the following aspects of formal structure:
–
–
–
–
–
Informal structures
•
A “shadow” organization made up of the unofficial, but often critical, working
relationships between organization members
– Potential advantages of informal structures:
•
•
•
•
– Potential disadvantages of informal structures:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Traditional Organization Structures
Functional structures:
–
–
–
–
Figure 7.3 Functional structures in a business, branch bank, and
hospital
•
Traditional Organization Structures (cont’d)
• Potential advantages of functional structures:
–
–
–
–
–
• Potential disadvantages of functional structures:
–
–
–
–
–
Divisional structures
•
Group together people who work on the same product or process,
serve similar customers, and/or are located in the same area or
geographical region
•
•
Figure 7.4 Divisional structures based on product, geography, customer, and
process
•
Types of divisional structures and how they group job and activities:
– Product structures focus on a single product or service
– Geographical structures focus on the same location or geographical
region
–
–
Potential advantages of divisional structures:
– More flexibility in responding to environmental changes
– Improved coordination
– Clear points of responsibility
–
–
Potential disadvantages of divisional structures:
Matrix structure
•
•
Combines functional and divisional structures to gain advantages and
minimize disadvantages of each
Used in:
Figure 7.5 Matrix structure in a small multi-project business firm
Potential advantages of matrix structures:
Better cooperation across functions
Improved decision making
Increased flexibility in restructuring
Potential disadvantages of matrix structures:
Two-boss system is susceptible to power struggles
Two-boss system can create task confusion and conflict in work priorities
Horizontal Organization Structures
• Team structures:
Extensively use permanent and temporary teams to solve problems, complete
special projects, and accomplish day-to-day tasks
Often use cross-functional teams composed of members from different
functional departments
Figure 7.6 How a team structure uses cross-functional teams for improved
lateral relations
Potential advantages of team structures:
Eliminates difficulties with communication and decision making
Eliminates barriers between operating departments.
Improved morale
Potential disadvantages of team structures:
Effective use of time depends on quality of interpersonal relations, group
dynamics, and team management
Network Structures
•
A central core that is linked through networks of relationships with
outside contractors and suppliers of essential services
•
Figure 7.7 A network structure for a Web-based retail business
Potential advantages of network structures:
Firms can operate with fewer full-time employees and less complex internal
systems
Potential disadvantages of network structures:
Control and coordination problems may arise from network complexity
Potential loss of control over outsourced activities
Boundaryless organizations
•
Eliminate internal boundaries among subsystems and external
boundaries with the external environment
A combination of team and network structures, with the addition of
“temporariness”
Key requirements:
•
•
•
Encourage creativity, quality, timeliness, flexibility, and efficiency
Knowledge sharing is both a goal and essential component.
Virtual organization
•
•
Figure 7.8 The boundaryless organization eliminates internal and external
barriers
Job Design
•
Scientific Management
• Job Simplification
•
Automation
Job Rotation and Job Enlargement
• Job Rotation
Increases task variety by periodically shifting workers between jobs involving
different task assignments
• Job Enlargement
Job Enrichment
• Job Enrichment
Increases job depth by adding work planning and evaluating duties normally
performed by the supervisor
• Job Satisfaction and Performance influenced by:
Experienced responsibility for the outcomes of the work
Five core characteristics that influence job performance:
Improving Job Characteristics
•
•
•
•
•
Alternative Work Schedules
•
Flexible Working Hours:
•
Compressed Workweek:
•
Job Sharing:
• Telecommuting:
Involves using IT to work at home or outside the office
• Part-Time Work:
Temporary employment for less that the standard 40-hour workweek