Question

• Give examples of four basic forms of horizontal structures of organizations.
• Explain span of control, delegation, and the four basic forms of horizontal structures of organizations.

Answer 1

Horiontal Organizational Structures

There are many types of horizontal structures in the organization. They have one thing in common, that the functional units are empowered to take decisions for the firm. Some of the horiontal structures are:

1. Ostroff's Approach: The management structure is based on the theme of 'core competencies', that serve as cross-fertilizer, which develops a multi-skill worker who has the overview of entire firm and not just one specialization
2. Barabba's Hybrid: the functional units are in charge of the management but this structure is based on skills and merit. The workers with proven skills, work ethic and loyalty are in control of the organization.The management is confined to the big pictures items and the the elite workers run the show at the organization
3. Worker's Control: The worker's council organize the firm, thereby controlling the firm. Everything is controlled by the council, right from hiring to salary negotiations to division of work.These councils were elected by the workers of the firm
4. Self-ManagingTeams: the self managing teams or the self developing teams are the perfect example of horizontal structure where a team is formed to execute a key project who organize their own work and report directly to the senior management. Effectively there is no middle management, and they decid the goal of the team themselvesand are at the liberty to manage the methods to achieve those goals