Final answer:
Becky's multinational consulting firm would best be structured as a flat or a matrix organization, which is well-suited for collaboration and flexibility on special projects requiring diverse expertise. A flat structure enables quicker decision making and better knowledge sharing, while a matrix structure provides clear project focus and functional alignment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Becky's multinational consulting firm, which specializes in the medical industry and takes on special projects requiring interdepartmental cooperation, would benefit from a flat organizational structure. In the modern business environment, there has been a shift away from traditional hierarchical structures towards more team-based approaches that encourage collaboration and quick responses to changes. A flat structure facilitates direct communication, fosters faster decision-making processes, and empowers teams to bring together diverse skills and expertise.
In choosing the best suited organizational structure for Becky's company, it's important to consider the need for flexibility and the ability to assemble multidisciplinary teams quickly. This lends itself to a structure known as a matrix organization, where employees have dual reporting relationships - generally to both a functional manager and a product or project manager. Matrix organizations can offer the benefit of flexible team composition and knowledge sharing across projects but do need strong leadership to navigate the potentially complex communication channels.
While general partnerships are another form of business organization, they may not provide the necessary framework for a large, project-driven firm like Becky's consulting company. As large organizations are being challenged by the pace of change, teams and a less bureaucratic thinking are emerging as a strategic response, often in opposition to the historically more rigid structures used by hospitals, schools, and governments.