Kinds of organizational structures: the basic characteristic

In companies, different types of organizational structures are used, the choice of which will depend on the goals, objectives and functional purpose. Now several optimal types of it have been developed. Let's consider in more detail linear, linear-staff, functional, linear-functional, matrix type of organizational structure and others.

Frequent situations are those in which a separate company is allocated within a large company (departmentalization), if its strategic plans require it. In this case, the structure becomes divisional (hierarchical), which:

• Regulates the division of goals and objectives into divisions and departments (sales, production, supply, and so on);
• Determines their competence in solving specific problems;
• Highlights the presence of a common interaction of all elements of the common system;
• Is able to "unload" the superior leader through the delegation of authority.

Its disadvantages are:

• Large staff costs for managers;
• Complexity in information communications.

Linear types of organizational structures are characterized by the presence of the following relationship: the supreme head-manager of the executing unit. In such companies there are exclusively vertical relationships, and they are allocated only on the basis of the functions performed.

Disadvantage:

• Availability of high requirements to the manager and his constant download.

As a result of the growth of enterprises, they, as a rule, are transformed into linear-staff types of organizational structures that are similar to the previous ones, but only management is concentrated in headquarters. As a result, a group of employees is formed, which directly can not give orders to the performers. But they must carry out consultations and prepare managerial decisions.

Disadvantage:

• Increased costs for the maintenance of staff at the headquarters, in the bad performance of which they are useless.

As a result of further complicating production, it may become necessary to have specialized workers, shops, plots and other. Gradually, functional types of organizational structures of the enterprise are formed. The work is divided into functions, and the company is divided into elements that have specific tasks. Gradually there is such a vertical: chief-functional and sectional managers (finance, marketing, production) -other employees.

Disadvantages:

• Lack of flexibility and coordination of activities among functional departments and units;
• The presence of low speed in decision-making;
• The lack of responsibility of the functional directors for the final result of the work of the enterprise.

There are also linear-functional types of organizational structures. This is a very complex system. In such companies, the basic management is linear, but without functional it can not work properly and cope with the goals and tasks set.

In the event that there is a need to speed up product updates, then matrix types of organizational structures appear. Their essence consists in the following. In the current structure, working (temporary) groups are formed, when their employees are transferred workers and resources of another (s) division (s). As a result, design departments are being formed, which implement targeted programs and projects. They are in a double subordination and have a flexible staff distribution, effective implementation of goals.

Among the main shortcomings can be identified:

• Complexity in the structure;
• Frequent occurrence of conflicts.

These are the most common types of organizational structures.