Team structure: A structure in which the entire organization is
made up of work groups or teams.
Advantages: Employees are more involved and empowered. Reduced barriers
among functional areas. Disadvantages: No clear chain of command. Pressure on
teams to perform
Matrix structure: An organizational structure that assigns
specialists from different functional departments to work on one or more
projects.
Advantages: Fluid and flexible design that can respond to environmental
changes. Faster decision making. Disadvantages: Complexity of assigning people
to projects. Task and personality conflicts.
Boundryless structure: A structure that is not
defined by or limited to artificial horizontal, vertical, or external
boundaries.
Advantages: Highly flexible and responsive. Utilizes talent wherever
it’s found. Disadvantages: Lack of control. Communication difficulties.
Learning structure: A structure in which
employees continually acquire and share new knowledge and apply that knowledge.
Advantages: Sharing of knowledge throughout organization. Sustainable
source of competitive advantage. Disadvantages: Reluctance on part of employees
to share knowledge for fear of losing their power. Large numbers of experienced
employees on the verge of retiring
