Question

Part I: Imagine you are hired to consult on different types of organizational structures for a mid-sized company with 135 employees. In 3-5 sentences, describe the company, the company product and/or service (industry), and geographical service area.

Part II: Briefly explain the following structures: Traditional departmentalization, Matrix Committee, and Team-based.
Part III: Compare the advantages and disadvantages for each organizational structure and identify which structure you recommend for their specific business.
a. Functional departmentalization
b. Divisional departmentalization
c. Matrix Committee
d. Team-based

Answer 1

For a mid-sized tech company, a team-based organizational structure with elements of matrix management is recommended to promote adaptability and cross-functional collaboration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Organizational Structures:

When advising a mid-sized technology company that develops software and provides IT solutions across North America, a consultant must understand different organizational structures. The company's goal is to efficiently manage its workforce of 135 employees while adapting to dynamic market conditions.

Organizational Structure Types:

• Traditional departmentalization: Groups employees based on functions like marketing, finance, etc.

• Matrix Committee: Combines departmentalization with project teams, allowing two chains of command.

• Team-based: Utilizes small teams to complete projects, with a focus on collaboration and flexibility.

Comparative Analysis:

• Functional departmentalization allows expertise development but may lead to silos.

• Divisional departmentalization focuses on outputs for different markets but may duplicate resources.

• The Matrix Committee can improve communication but may cause confusion with two managers.

• Team-based structures are agile but require strong team dynamics to succeed.

The recommended organizational structure for this technology firm, considering its need for adaptability and cross-functional collaboration, would be a team-based structure with elements of matrix management for specific projects that require diverse expertise.