A business may implement an organizational structure in its workplace to run more efficiently. Depending on the size of the company and the way it operates, some structures might be more beneficial than others. Knowing how your company operates will help you perform in line with what’s expected of you and help you become a better employee overall.
This article defines organizational structures, including their various types and the purpose and benefits of using them.
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What is an organizational structure?
An organizational structure details how certain activities are delegated toward achieving an organization’s goal. It outlines an employee’s role and various responsibilities within a company. The more authority employees have, the higher they’ll be on the organizational structure. In addition, the more organized a structure is, the more efficiently a company operates.
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Types of organizational structures
There are four types of organizational structures. Understanding how they work and their benefits and drawbacks can help you make a more informed decision about what to implement in your workplace. The four types are:
1. Functional structure
Organizations are divided into specialized groups with specific roles and duties in a functional structure. A functional structure is also a bureaucratic organizational structure commonly found in small to medium-sized businesses. Most people in the workforce have experience working in this type of organizational structure. For example, many companies divide their organization into various departments such as finance, marketing, and human resources. Each of these departments then has a manager who oversees it. This manager is then supervised by an administrator or executive who oversees multiple departments.
Advantages of this structure may include:
- Employees grouped by skill
- Greater sense of teamwork
Disadvantages of this structure may include:
- Lack of communication with other departments
- Harmful competition
- Management issues
2. Divisional structure
In a divisional structure, various teams work alongside each other toward a single, common goal. Each of these divisions has an executive who manages how that branch operates, controls its budgets, and allocates its resources. Large companies employ this type of organizational structure. One example of the divisional structure is a car company that separates its company into SUV, electric, or sedan vehicle branches. While each branch has its function, they all work toward the same goal of making a sale. This is also known as the multi-divisional structure.
Advantages of this structure may include:
- Focus on a single good or service
- More centralized leadership
Disadvantages of this structure may include:
- Poor integration with other divisions
- Competition between divisions
- Lack of communication between divisions
- Potential tax implications
3. Flatarchy
In a futarchy, there are little to no levels of management. A company using this structure could have only one manager between its executive and all other employees. It is called a futarchy because it combines a hierarchy and a flat organization. This type of organizational structure is used more by smaller companies since they have fewer employees, though it can be used in companies of all sizes. While some companies grow out of this organizational structure, others continue to use it.
Advantages of this structure may include:
- Cost-efficient
- Fosters good communication
- Higher employee morale
- Faster decision making
Disadvantages of this structure may include:
- Potential employee conflict
- Leadership confusion
4. Matrix structure
In the matrix style of organizational structure, employees are divided into teams that report to two managers—a project or product manager and a functional manager. In essence, a matrix structure is a combination of various organizational structures. Because these teams have two managers, a matrix structure promotes duality and the sharing of resources. Employees working for companies using the matrix structure have the potential to widen their skill set since they might be assigned to various projects requiring different levels of expertise or skills.
Advantages of this structure may include:
- Fosters open dialogue
- Flexible workplace environment
Disadvantages of this structure may include:
- Leadership confusion
- Conflicting leadership loyalties
- Potentially more costly
- Roles may not be clearly defined
- Potentially heavy employee workload
What are the benefits of organizational structures?
Though not all businesses use organizational structures, those that do can reap several benefits. Here are some benefits of implementing an organizational structure in your company:
Faster decision-making
When your company’s various teams communicate more effectively, your overall communication will also be positively impacted. This will then lead to quicker decision-making. In other words, the flow of information with an organizational structure can be used to promote faster decision-making.
Multiple business locations
If you’re a business owner, having an organizational structure helps ensure all your locations operate similarly and abide by the same procedures. Because owners can’t be at every location, an organized structure can give you peace of mind. This is particularly the case when your company begins to grow in size.
Improved operating efficiency
Because organizational structures divide companies into various teams or branches, they help to ensure that all tasks and responsibilities specific to those divisions are met more easily. Employees can operate quickly and more efficiently when they know what they should be working on. In essence, an organized structure creates an efficient and streamlined system that helps improve company operations overall.
Greater employee performance
When an employee is delegated specific tasks and responsibilities, they can perform well at their job. An organized structure gives employees the guidance they need to perform at their best daily. An improvement in employee performance can also lead to excellent employee morale and confidence.
Eliminates duplication of work
The risk of overlapping job duties is eliminated when employees are divided into teams according to their skills and expertise. For example, if a project is assigned to one team, the other teams know it’s not their responsibility to take it on because they also have their tasks outlined.
Reduced employee conflict
Using organizational structures can potentially eliminate conflict between employees. While several factors can come into play in this regard, once an employee knows their duties, the more focused they’ll be on their work. For the most part, this is a great way to avoid any rising conflict between coworkers.
Better communication
While this will vary from company to company and depend on the specific organizational structure, an organizational hierarchy can foster positive communication between different divisions and teams. Once duties are delegated to various teams and individuals, others in the workplace will know who to turn to for some issues. For example, if you’re on a team with one manager, you’ll know who to report to should issues arise. Similarly, if someone from marketing has a question about the project’s design, they know to contact the art department.
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