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Understanding Organizational Structures Using Structural Theories

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I have attached the instructions and my answer to the questions from a prior discussion.
Case Study: Structural Analysis Assignment Instructions
Overview
Organizational Analysis: Defining the Organization Utilizing the Structural Theories Lens
This portion of the case study assignment will require you to apply the Structural Theories lens to your organization. This enables you to make sense of the organization in a general way before turning to the specific problem within the organization which you identified in the Problem Proposal Assignment.

Instructions
Lens One: Reviewing the Structural Theories [MACHINE]
Use the following questions to describe, in a summative-narrative fashion, what the structures of your organization looks like. Your summary is to be 3–5 pages, include 3–5 references (this can include your textbook), have a title and reference page, and be formatted according to current APA style (first person should not be used). Headings should be used for each area of the paper.
1. What is the chain of command in your organization?
a. What is the formal authority in the organization?
b. That is, who has economic, legal, contractual, collegial authority?
2. Describe the span of control in the organization.
a. How many people report to managers at various levels?
b. How many levels exist in the organization?
3. Describe the departmentalization structures of the organization.
4. Where are decisions being made in the organization?
5. Explain where your organization sits on the centralized/decentralized continuum.
6. Are the staff/line distinctions being maintained in your organization?

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Assignment Prompt

The task requires you to apply the Structural Theories lens to analyze your organization. You are expected to write a 3–5 page paper that describes the structural elements of your organization based on various criteria. Specifically, you need to:

Define the chain of command and authority
Describe the span of control and levels in the organization
Discuss departmentalization structures
Identify where decisions are made
Evaluate the degree of centralization vs decentralization
Assess the staff/line distinctions within the organization

Ensure your paper is formatted in APA style, has a title and reference page, and includes 3–5 scholarly references.

Step 2: Review Key Structural Theory Concepts

The Structural Theories lens focuses on how organizations are arranged in terms of hierarchy, authority, roles, and decision-making processes. Before diving into the specific questions, review concepts like:

Chain of command: The formal line of authority within an organization.
Span of control: The number of employees a manager supervises.
Departmentalization: The division of the organization into departments based on functions, geography, or other criteria.
Centralization vs Decentralization: Whether decision-making power is concentrated at the top (centralized) or spread out across levels (decentralized).
Staff/line distinctions: The separation between roles that directly contribute to organizational goals (line) and those that provide support (staff).

Step 3: Define the Chain of Command and Formal Authority

In the first section of your paper:

Explain the chain of command: Discuss the hierarchy of authority in your organization and who is responsible for overseeing whom.
Authority types: Detail the types of authority in your organization—economic (related to financial control), legal (rights granted by law), contractual (formal agreements), and collegial (peer influence or consensus).

Step 4: Analyze the Span of Control and Levels of Management

Next, describe:

Span of control: How many employees report to each manager at different levels. For example, a wide span of control means managers oversee many employees, while a narrow span indicates fewer employees per manager.
Levels of the organization: How many layers of management exist from the top (executive) to the bottom (entry-level employees).

Step 5: Examine Departmentalization Structures

Describe how the organization is structured in terms of:

Departmentalization: Is it based on function (e.g., marketing, HR, IT), product, geography, or a mix of these? How does this structure impact workflow and decision-making?

Step 6: Assess Decision-Making in the Organization

Identify where and by whom decisions are made:

Centralized vs decentralized: Does decision-making happen at the top levels (centralized), or is it delegated to lower levels (decentralized)? Discuss how this influences the responsiveness and flexibility of the organization.

Step 7: Evaluate Staff/Line Distinctions

Address whether the organization maintains distinctions between staff and line functions:

Line functions: These directly contribute to achieving the organization’s primary goals (e.g., production, sales).
Staff functions: These provide support to line functions (e.g., HR, legal, finance).
Discuss how these distinctions (or lack thereof) affect efficiency and organizational dynamics.

Step 8: Compile Your Findings

In your paper, follow a logical flow:

Begin with an introduction to briefly explain the purpose of your paper and provide a general overview of the organization’s structure.
Each section should have a clear heading (e.g., Chain of Command, Span of Control) and should address the questions posed in the assignment in detail.
Conclude by summarizing the key structural elements you identified in your organization and their potential implications for the organization’s effectiveness.

Step 9: Include Scholarly Resources and References

Ensure you cite 3–5 scholarly references throughout the paper. These can include textbooks, journal articles, or reports that discuss organizational structure and management theory. Use APA style for both in-text citations and the reference list.

Step 10: Review and Edit

Once you’ve written your paper, review it for clarity, flow, and adherence to APA formatting. Ensure all references are correctly cited, and there are no grammatical errors. Consider reading the paper aloud or having a peer review it for feedback.