Final answer:
Management writers indeed use terms like silos to describe organizations where business units operate autonomously with minimal cross-departmental interaction; this is true and reflects an outdated model that can hinder adaptability in today's dynamic business climate, which favors a more collaborative and flat organizational structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that management writers often use terms like silos, stovepipes, or chimneys to describe an organization where autonomous business units operate with minimal horizontal interdependence is true. These terms metaphorically refer to departments or groups within an organization that function in isolation from others, often leading to a lack of communication and collaboration across different parts of the company. This can hinder the organization's overall effectiveness and adaptability in today's fast-paced business environment, which demands greater teamwork, problem-solving, and a flexible approach to work.
In contrast, many modern organizations strive for a flatter structure that encourages open communication and interaction among employees across different levels and departments. This shift away from a rigid bureaucratic system toward a more collegial and collaborative model reflects the needs of contemporary workplaces to be more responsive to changing markets and to foster innovation. Such organizations are often more successful at adapting to new challenges and seizing opportunities.
Bureaucracies have historically been established with a strict hierarchical order and division of labor, which can impede rapid change and transformation. This 'tanker' analogy - difficulty in 'trying to turn a tanker around mid-ocean' - aptly describes the challenges that bureaucracies face when trying to adapt to new circumstances. In this context, the establishment of bureaucracies may also perpetuate existing societal power imbalances.