GMS 200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Work Unit, Habitat, Strategic Management

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Global Management Studies
• Course: GMS 200
• Professor: Ado

Document Summary

Organization structure the system of tasks, workflows, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link together diverse individuals and groups. Formal structures structure of the organization in its official state. An organization chart is a diagram describing reporting relationships and the formal arrangement of work positions within an organization. An organization chart identifies the following aspects of formal structure: the division of work, supervisory relationships, communication channels, major subunits, levels of management. A (cid:862)shado(cid:449)(cid:863) orga(cid:374)izatio(cid:374) (cid:373)ade up of the u(cid:374)offi(cid:272)ial, (cid:271)ut ofte(cid:374) (cid:272)riti(cid:272)al, (cid:449)orki(cid:374)g relatio(cid:374)ships between organization members. Potential advantages of informal structures: helping people accomplish their work, overcoming limits of formal structure. Potential disadvantages of informal structures: may work against best interests of entire organization, susceptibility to rumor, may carry inaccurate information. Functional structures in a business, branch bank, and community hospital. Divisional structures based on product, geography, customer, and process. More flexibility and clear points of responsibility. Expertise focused on specific customers, products, and regions.