2.2 Organisational Structure

Assessment Objectives
The following terminology to facilitate understanding of different types of organisational structures: Delegation Span of control Levels of hierarchy Chain of command Bureaucracy Centralisation Decentralisation De-layering	AO1
The following types of organisation charts: Flat/horizontal Tall/vertical Hierarchical By product By function By region	AO2, AO4
Changes in organisational structures (such as project-based organisation, Handy’s ‘Shamrock Organisation’)	AO2
How cultural differences and innovation in communication technologies may impact on communication in an organisation	AO2

Organisation

• Why Microsoft’s Reorganization Is a Bad Idea – a 2013 article on why Microsoft’s reorganisation is a bad idea. Covers different ways organisations can be structured (e.g., by product/division or by function) and how it relates to collaboration.

• Using Organization Charts as a Management Tool – some background on how organisation charts are used as a management tool.

• Span of Control – this article covers some important terminology, for example: span of control, chain of command, and levels of hierarchy.

• What Is the Meaning of Organizational Structure? – an article on basics of organisational structure.

• Project-Based Organizational Structure – advantages and disadvantages of project-based organisations.

• Handy’s Shamrock Organization – a concise summary of Handy’s Shamrock Organisation.

Communication

• Effects of Technology on Business Communications – a short article discussing some of the effects of technology on business communication.

• How Technology Has Changed Workplace Communication – an article from Forbes about how technology has changed communication in the workplace.

• Competitiveness and organisational structure – a great example of delayering

• Delayering – a short article from The Economist debating de-layering.