Final answer:
A project manager holds the most authority in a project-based organizational structure, where they have full control over project decisions and resources, unlike in functional or matrix-based structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The project manager has the most authority under the project-based organizational structure. In this structure, team members are often collocated, and the project manager has full authority over the project, including budget, decisions, and resource allocation. This is different from the functional and matrix-based structures where the power is either divided between department managers and project managers or shared based on the matrix's strength (balanced vs. strong).
In a functional structure, the authority primarily resides with the functional manager, and in matrix structures, the authority is shared. The balanced matrix falls in between, with power being evenly distributed between project and functional managers, while the strong matrix slightly favors the project manager but not as much as in a project-based structure. The option a. Dictatorial is irrelevant in the context of organizational structures since it pertains to a form of leadership rather than an organizational setup, and b. Traditional typically refers to authority derived from historical norms or customs, which might not be specifically relevant to modern organizational structures.