Organizational Structure

Organizational Structure:
An organizational structure is a system that outlines how certain activities are directed in order to achieve the goals of an organization. These activities can include rules, roles, and responsibilities.

The organizational structure also determines how information flows between levels within the company. For example, in a centralized structure, decisions flow from the top down, while in a decentralized structure, decision-making power is distributed among various levels of the organization.

Businesses of all shapes and sizes use organizational structures heavily. They define a specific hierarchy within an organization. A successful organizational structure defines each employee's job and how it fits within the overall system. Put simply, the organizational structure lays out who does what so the company can meet its objectives.

This structuring provides a company with a visual representation of how it is shaped and how it can best move forward in achieving its goals. Organizational structures are normally illustrated in some sort of chart or diagram like a pyramid, where the most powerful members of the organization sit at the top, while those with the least amount of power are at the bottom.

Centralized vs. Decentralized Organizational Structures

Centralized Organizational Structure:
A centralized organizational structure is one that relies heavily on top-down decision-making. One person or an executive team has the responsibility of approving all relevant decisions, which they communicate through various levels of management. The less senior managers carry out directives and relay concerns from their employees to their own supervisors.
An organizational structure is either centralized or decentralized. Traditionally, organizations have been structured with centralized leadership and a defined chain of command. The military is an organization famous for its highly centralized structure, with a long and specific hierarchy of superiors and subordinates. In a centralized organizational system, there are very clear responsibilities for each role, with subordinate roles defaulting to the guidance of their superiors.

Decentralized Organizational Structure:
A decentralized organizational structure is one in which senior management has shifted the authority for some types of decision making to lower levels in the organization. This usually means that the manager of a cost center, profit center, or investment center has the authority to make decisions that impact his or her area of responsibility.
There has been a rise in decentralized organizations, as is the case with many technology startups. This allows companies to remain fast, agile, and adaptable, with almost every employee receiving a high level of personal agency. For example, Johnson & Johnson is a company that's known for its decentralized structure.

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