At SmartCapitalMind, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What Are the Different Types of Organizational Structures?
The seven types of organizational structures that are in use in corporations around the world are pre-bureaucratic, bureaucratic, post-bureaucratic, functional, divisional, matrix, and horizontally-linked configurations. These ways of functionally arranging staff reflect a company's stance on decision-making and how the design of work relationships affect production. Companies are pre-disposed to adopting one of these seven standard structures because they have been proven to result in an optimal chain of command that positively impacts job performance and the bottom line.
An organizational structure is the way a company arranges its staff to reflect how operates. The organizational chart is the visual representation of this structure, and is used to study lines of connection. While it is understandable that a company should organize its affairs into a working order that can be charted and studied for improvement, it is less clear why there are only seven types of organizational structures to which most companies gravitate.
Over the hundreds of years over which the corporation has been in existence, management patterns have emerged. People have experimented with many different ways of managing a company, but the methods that have proven to be the most effective for certain industries are the ones that are adopted as best practices. In that context, the seven types of organizational structures are the proven models to which corporations tend to conform. The grouping is not exclusive of any variation or innovative approach to functional structure that may prove one day to be more effective in certain industries or under certain circumstances.
The pre-bureaucratic, bureaucratic, and post-bureaucratic organizational structures are related. Pre-bureaucratic is an entrepreneurial management structure that uses a centralized approach. The decisions are largely made by one person or a small group of people who are operating in an ad hoc manner in response to quickly changing circumstances. Decision-making power is not yet disbursed to branches or department heads.
Bureaucratic structures are the most standard type of format, and is hierarchal and structured. The chain of command goes straight up the chart with a decreasing lateral spread, like a triangle. Post-bureaucratic structures, comparatively, have a circular decision-making structure that relies on equality of power and consensus. This type of management system is used by nonprofits and cooperatives.
The functional, divisional, matrix, and horizontally-linked types of organizational structures are used in various types of product manufacturing companies. Functional structures put decision-making power along the bottom of the organizational chart with functional specialists. Divisional uses a product structure where decision-making groups are divided by product lines and have all of the functionality to operate independently. A matrix structure is related to the divisional structure, except employees are grouped by function and product. Horizontally-linked structures use features of the other formats and links them through a horizontal chain of command.
AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![One person is often in charge of the operations in a bureaucratic organizational structure.]()
By: Andres RodriguezOne person is often in charge of the operations in a bureaucratic organizational structure. -
![Product manufacturing companies commonly use an organizational structure that puts power in the hands of functional specialists.]()
By: Lisa F. YoungProduct manufacturing companies commonly use an organizational structure that puts power in the hands of functional specialists.
Discussion Comments
I work at a small family operated business, so the organizational structure is pretty easy to figure out. There are only five employees in the whole company, which includes the owners. I am the office administrator for this company. There are two salesmen and two owners which makes up the whole company. All of the decisions are made by the two owners. I don't know what type of structure this would be labeled, but it doesn't get very complicated.
In my management classes in college we studied the seven common organizational structures. At one time I had all of them memorized, and could tell you the specific function of each division.
As I read through this article, much of that information comes back to me, but now I focus on the structure that is used by the company I work for. I do think it is important for every employee to understand how the chain of command works for their place of business.
It gives you a good idea of how the company operates, and what part your position plays in the overall success of the company.
Most large companies I have worked for have a picture of the organizational structure in the employee handbook. This is something I never pay much attention to since I am usually on the lowest level in the company structure.
I know the name of the person who is at the top, even though I never personally meet them. Other than that, I know the name of my immediate supervisor. I might know the name of my supervisor's boss, but it doesn't go much higher than that.
Post your comments