Organizational Structure of Dell

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RESPONSE:

1. Prepare a 1-2 page outline for the project that compares/contrasts the hierarchy within the old organizational structure with the features of the flat hierarchical structure of the modern organization.
Research at least five current sources (within the last five years) on organizational structure.

This assignment is fairly straightforward, as it asks you to compare/contrast the hierarchy within the old organizational structure with the features of the flat hierarchical structure of the modern organization. You intend to use Dell as an example.

Let's consider what comparisons to make in this outline through looking at (e.g., definition, tall versus short hierarchical structure (see diagram at http://www.learnmanagement2.com/Tall%20structure.htm), chain of command, centralized versus decentralized, span of control, etc.) features of the old organizational structure with the features of the flat hierarchical structure through looking at various sources to draw on for your final outline.

Briefly, an organization structure is a formal decision-making framework by which job tasks are divided, grouped, and coordinated. Formalization is an important aspect of structure. Old structures are very formalized in contrast to informal nature of flattened structures. It is the extent to which the units of the organization are explicitly defined and its policies, procedures, and goals are clearly stated. It is the official organizational structure conceived and built by top management. The formal organization can be seen and represented in chart form. An organization chart displays the organizational structure and shows job titles, lines of authority, and relationships between departments (http://www.12manage.com/methods_organization_chart.html) (2007).

1. Old Organizational Structure e.g., hierarchical

In a traditional (old) hierarchy, senior managers make up the board of directors and are responsible for establishing strategy and overall business direction (e.g. centralized chain of command as compared to a decentralized for the flattened structure), whilst middle managers have responsibility for a specific function such as finance or marketing. Chain of command is who makes the decisions (top versus shared decision-making),

Specifically, an old or traditional hierarchical structure clearly defines each employee's role within the organisation and defines the nature of their relationship with other employees. Old organizations are often tall hierarchies (in contrast to 'short' hierarchies or flattened structures) with narrow spans of control (as opposed to wide spans of control for the newer flattened structure), which gets wider as we move down the structure for both structures (http://www.12manage.com/methods_organization_chart.html). (2007)

Span of control is an organization theory that refers to ...