Checkpoint: Management Structures
HSM/220
November 2, 2013
Departmentalization is dividing employees into different work groups that concentrate in one specific duty. The advantage to departmentalization is that each group will provide great service to the organization. The service will be good due to the fact the employees are knowledgeable for their specific department. The disadvantage to departmentalization is that employees are only trained in one department. If the department closes down, many people could be out of a job.
Matrix Organizations are known to have more than one supervisor. An example of this would be a hospital where patients are divided by illness (e.g. oncology) or by age grouping (e.g. pediatrics). The advantage to matrix organizations is that each ward within the hospitals has supervisors that work collectively for the good of the patient. A disadvantage would be the use of power and authority. Some individuals may take advantage of someone lower rank.
The Project Team is designed to assist in independence within group or team performance. This insures organization and accountability. An advantage to this would be that each team has its own responsibilities and can work somewhat independently on its own. A disadvantage to the project team is that there can sometimes be areas that are under coordinated and may overlap.
The Collegial Model is most commonly used in situations where professionals (e.g. psychiatrist(s), psychologist(s), and/or social worker(s) in private practice) for the purpose of setting up a clinic and sharing facilities and staff. An advantage is that it allows independent functioning and decision making while supporting collaboration when it is needed. A major disadvantage is there is no individual accountability to ensure that the collective work is accomplished. Each professional operates as an entrepreneur.
Each structure affects day-to-day operations in the fact that it makes it run smoothly.