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BU398 Chapter 03
Fundamentals of Organizational Structure
31
Business
Undergraduate 3
06/02/2014

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Term
Centralized
Definition
Information is funneled to the top of the organization to make decisions, strict hierarchy and focus on efficiency
Term
Chain of Command
Definition
A Vertical information linkage mechanism, formal reporting relationships in a company up which problems are passed and down which solutions/decisions are passed
Term
Decentralized
Definition
Decision making authority is pushed down, employees are given more autonomy
Term
Departmental Grouping
Definition
Grouping roles and employees together to share goals, resources and supervisor (think credit manager with finance vs credit manager with sales)
Term
Divisional Grouping
Definition
Grouping employees together based on what product/output they're working on or servicing
Term
Divisional Structure
Definition
Organizing employees together in strategic business units or products, to make them nimbler, more flexible and better coordinated, and to decentralize decision making, but tends to lose economies of scale, have bad coordination across product lines, and less in depth knowledge
Term
Functional Grouping
Definition
Grouping employees who share similar skills or knowledge together
Term
Functional Matrix
Definition
Matrix structure where emphasis is placed on Functions or inputs; often functional managers have more authority (see also Product Matrix)
Term
Functional Structure
Definition
Employees are grouped together based on what they can do and what resources/inputs they share; more efficient but slower and less flexible
Term
Horizontal Grouping
Definition
Grouping together employees that perform a core process of the organization, rather than separating them
Term
Horizontal Structure
Definition
New method organizing employees around core processes, raw inputs to customer hands approach, often requires re-engineering and difficult to do in very vertical environments
Term
horizontal Linkage
Definition
Amount of communication and coordination among employees, across the organization. In increasing order of cost and coordination: IS, Direct Contact, Task forces, Full Time integrator, Teams
Term
Integrator
Definition
A permanent job located outside departments that's responsible for coordinating several departments
Term
Liaison Role
Definition
Some one in one department specifically responsible with communicating with another department
Term
Matrix Structure
Definition
Balances functional and divisional structure. Three conditions: Scarce resources need to be shared along product lines, Environmental pressure exists for both indepth knowledge and flexibility, and environment is both unstable and uncertain. Advantages include meeting dual demands, disadvantages including balancing dual authority (two bosses with equal authority)
Term
Multi-focused Grouping
Definition
A.K.A MAtrix grouping, using two grouping alternatives simultaneously
Term
Organizational Structure
Definition
Three key components: Formal reporting relationships, Grouping of employees, and design of systems to carry out goals
Term
Outsourcing
Definition
Contracting out certain business (core or peripheral) processes to other companies
Term
Process
Definition
An organized group of related tasks that work together to transform inputs (raw resources) into outputs (products or services)
Term
Product Matrix
Definition
Matrix structure where divisional managers (product managers) are given the lead/main authority to make decisions
Term
Re-engineering
Definition
Redesigning a vertical operation along its horizontal workflows
Term
Rules and Plans
Definition
A Vertical Information Linkage mechanism, rules and plans make repetitious decisions simple without having to go up the chain
Term
Symptoms of Structural Deficiency
Definition
Four aspects:
- Decision making is late or poor
- innovation does not happen when needed in changing environment
- performance declines or goals are not met
- too much conflict
Term
Task Forces
Definition
Temporary cross-functional group that's designed to accomplish an objective (e.g. design a new product). Often dissolved after accomplishing goal
Term
Teams
Definition
Permanent cross-functional group that has the strongest horizontal linkages, for long term objectives that need strong coordination
Term
Vertical Information System
Definition
A Vertical information linkage mechanism, Periodic reports, written information, and computer based communication to facilitate up/down communication
Term
Vertical Linkages
Definition
How to coordinate activities between the top and bottom, designer primarily for control. Involves Hierarchical referral, rules and plans, and Vertical Information systems
Term
Virtual Cross-functional teams
Definition
Teams with members from various departments and countries that are coordinated over the internet
Term
virtual Network grouping
Definition
Grouping people through technology (i.e. Internet)
Term
Virtual Network structure
Definition
Firm subcontracts many or most of its major process to other companies and coordinates their activities at small HQ
Term
Virtual Team
Definition
Geographically disperse team connected by the internet, rather than face to face
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