Question

You are Steve Jobs. Assess the organizational structure issues happening at Apple? Select one: a. A company that is already big and wants to grow bigger needs to recognize the shortcomings of a functional structure in such a situation and proceed with shifting to a divisional structure. b. Operating on a functional basis is what got Apple to where it is with its successful collaboration in bringing sought-after products to the market. With its past in mind, changing to a division structure is just too difficult and potentially dangerous for Apple. c. Divisional structure versus functional structure may be an incorrect framing of the issue. Apple needs to look at ways to combine the best collaborative and innovative attributes of a functional structure with the superior organization of a division structure.

Answer 1

Answer:

Steve Jobs

Organizational Structure Issues at Apple:

c. Divisional structure versus functional structure may be an incorrect framing of the issue. Apple needs to look at ways to combine the best collaborative and innovative attributes of a functional structure with the superior organization of a division structure.

Explanation:

An organizational structure is a system that outlines how rules, roles, and responsibilities are directed in order to achieve the organizational goals.  It shows how the people in the organization are grouped and how they report their activities, i.e. the flow of information.  This shows that an organization's structure also determines how information flows between levels within the company.

Traditionally, four types of structure are recognized.  They are the Functional, Divisional, Matrix, and Flat.  They are not modern.

Modern organizational structures are five:  They adopt basic traditional structures to organizational needs.  The modern structures are, Functional, Divisional, Matrix, Team, and Networking.

For Apple, therefore, a Networking structure would be best since it recognizes no boundaries.  This structure combines the best collaborative and innovative attributes of a functional structure with the superior organization of a division structure, and others.  They are more suitable for rapid innovation required by companies operating in the technology industry.