Final answer:
A functional organizational structure is exemplified by large corporations with departments like finance and marketing, each with specialized functions. Universities also demonstrate this with particular staff dedicated to teaching, admissions, or other roles, although this can sometimes lead to rigidity and inefficiencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a functional organizational structure can be seen in a large corporation that segregates its workforce based on the speciality of each department. For instance, within such corporations, divisions could be clearly demarcated into areas like finance, marketing, human resources, and operations, each with its own specialized tasks and responsibilities. To illustrate, consider the division of labor in a university setting: psychology professors focus on teaching psychology, and the Office of Admissions handles tasks such as providing financial aid forms, which is a practical and understandable segregation of roles. However, the rigidity of such structures can also result in inefficiencies, like in the case of a hostess at a restaurant who might not assist with food delivery even when it's busy because her role is strictly defined as seating guests. This example highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of functional organizational structures, emphasizing the clear definition of roles but also hinting at potential inflexibility.