Ch 14: Organizational Structure & Design

1. Organizational Design: Theory, Principles & Definition

What rules do people follow when planning a new business or organization? Find out by learning about organizational design: what it is, some theories that relate to it, and some important principles.

2. Organizational Design and Structure

There is a relationship between organizational design and structure because of different factors. Organizational size, organizational life cycle, strategy, environment and technology work together to form a complete organization.

3. Strategy and Organizational Structure

In this lesson you will learn the three different elements to organizational strategy and which organizational structures work best for each of these elements.

4. Mechanistic & Organic Organizational Business Structures

Different organizations require different structures. This lesson describes the differences between mechanistic and organic organizational structures by looking at the specifics of organizations.

5. Types of Traditional Organizational Designs: Simple, Functional & Divisional Designs

Choosing an organizational structure is an ongoing design process. In this lesson, you will learn to identify types of traditional organizational designs, including simple, functional and divisional designs.

6. Types of Contemporary Organizational Designs: Matrix, Team & Network Designs

Choosing an organizational structure is an ongoing design process. In this lesson, you will learn to identify types of contemporary organizational designs, including matrix, team and network designs.

7. The Boundaryless Organization: Structure and Advantages

In this lesson, you will learn how the structure of an organization can create barriers that have a negative impact on its operations. Find out why managers want to reduce or eliminate these barriers and create a boundaryless organization.

8. Characteristics of Informal Organizations: The Grapevine & Informal Groups

Have you ever thought about how important the relationships you have with your coworkers are to your organization? This lesson will discuss the common elements of informal organizations including their characteristics, informal groups, and the grapevine.

9. Organizational Size: Impacts on Structure and Design of an Organization

In this lesson, you will learn how the size of an organization impacts the structure and design of that organization in the areas of work specialization, departmentalization, and formalization.

10. Lean Organizational Structure

In this lesson, you will learn how the structure of a lean organization differs from the structure of a traditional organization and the benefits organizations with lean structures have over organizations with traditional structures.

11. E-Business Enhanced and E-Business Enabled Organizations

Businesses use the Internet in different ways. Some use it as a part of their business, while some use it to run the entire business. In this lesson, we will discuss the differences between e-business enhanced and e-business enabled businesses.

12. Behavioral Implications of Different Organizational Designs

Organizational culture influences how employees behave and the design of an organization can affect its culture, thereby also impacting how employees act. In this lesson, we'll discuss the impact organizational structure can have on employee behavior.

13. Business Case Study: Toyota's Organizational Structure

Toyota has long been praised for its efficiency and effectiveness, but there were some glitches in the early 21st century that caused the company to reexamine its organizational structure, which we'll explore in this lesson.

14. Business Case Study: Lego's Organizational Structure

Walk into your local toy store and you'll likely find an entire aisle, or section, for Legos. In the early 2000s, that wasn't the case, as Lego appeared to be dying a slow death. In this lesson, we'll find out what changed the outlook for Lego.