Answer:
overlays two organizational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both.
Explanation:
An organizational structure can be defined as the process which typically involves dividing an organization into various functional units.
Basically, the organizational structure comprises of three (3) main dimensions and these are;
I. The vertical dimension: this is typically the decision-making responsibilities (decentralization and centralization).
II. The horizontal dimension: this divides the organization into subunits.
III. Integrating mechanisms: it is based typically on the strategic mechanism that controls the various subunits within an organization.
A functional (departmental) organizational structure is a type of structure used to organize staffs by dividing them into various departments based on their skill set, roles or functions and knowledge.
These departments which are vertically structured may include, finance, IT, sales and marketing, research and development, customer service etc. Also, the various departments are headed by a functional manager who are saddled with the responsibility of overseeing, managing and reporting to the executive management.
A matrix organizational structure is a type work structure where reporting relationships between employees are set up as a matrix rather than the conventional hierarchy approach. This simply means, there are two (2) chains of command; employees have dual reporting relationships to both a project and functional manager.
The matrix organizational structure can be classified into three (3) categories, these are;
1. Weak matrix structure.
2. Balanced matrix structure.
3. Strong matrix structure.
One of the defining characteristics of a matrix organizational structure is that it overlays two organizational structures in order to leverage the benefits of both.
