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Organizational structure of the business Essay Businesses can take different approaches on the way they structure the organization of their business. The different types of structures include flat, matrix, and tall. These represent hierarchical, centralized and decentralized forms of organization. These different structures are used in different types of organization relating to the needs the business may require. In a tall structure there are many levels. People of different status within the business take each level. This is hierarchical. As the levels get higher in the structure, the power and responsibility usually increases. In a tall structured organization there would the top layer of the structure but many at the bottom represent few people. This structure would be used in a large business where there would be many members of staff, many groups under different supervision. This form of organization would cause there to be a lack of communication throughout the business as issues would be passed through the levels, supervisors to managers and may never reach the managing director. Elements like this in a tall structure could lead to a lack of control throughout the business. Flat is another style of organizational structure. This is still of a hierarchical form yet there is less layers in the business. This is more of a democratic approach as there is a smaller span of control throughout the organization. As there is less levels in the structure there is less separate sections of power. The reduction in the amount of layers means that communication throughout the business is greatly improved therefore the managing director has a greater level of control over the business as a whole. This would be used in a smaller business. It would consist of a managing director followed by possibly a number of directors then supervisors then staff in a hierarchical fashion. A matrix approach can also be used. This is constructed by the business itself. It can be a democratic, autocratic or lassiez-faire approach or a mixture of the three. Very large businesses, PLC or LTDs use this. As the business is so large a tall matrix would not be appropriate as there would be a lack of interaction and control of the business would not be great. To prevent this happening, Boots designed a structure of its own. These are known as matrix structures. Each level has independent managers and spans of control that do not lead up or down the hierarchy of the business. Each level has independent managers and line supervisors so they are self-contained. The local span of control is the responsibility of the line manager. To keep communication strong within the business there is a strong chain of command throughout the structure. This ensures that any problems; ideas or achievement are known throughout the business. This approach keeps communication and control strong, as although there are a great number of people within the structure it is easy to find out what is happening at present through the chain of commanding supervisors who are responsible at that level. The different sections of the business that are present within the matrix are   Boots the Chemist Wellbeing services   Supply and support services   Boots Healthcare international Each of these sections (levels) of the business has line managers and supervisors. These communicate through the chain of command through out the business. This gives a firm structure of a high level of control and interaction, which is within the best interests of the smooth running of the business. The diagram below shows the set out of the business and how the different sections relate to each other. Within these sections the directing and supervisory structure is set out like this throughout the business This is Richard Baker; he is the chief executive of Boots PLC. He does not work in a store but control along with Howard Dodd Paul Bateman the running nationwide of the Boots Empire. They have control over every structure in every store throughout the country from managers to floor workers however it is rare they interact with any one but senior staff in the department stores. Boots to maximize the benefits created the matrix structure. This shows that they have taken their own approach upon their business and changed with the times. Using a matrix structure as the business expanded to the size it is now has proved beneficial and reaches an objective. Boots aimed to Develop, modernize technology and strategies. Using the matrix structure has been a form of modernizing therefore reaching a set objective. Boots aim of globalization would need to lead from a base of a stable market in the UK business sector. To gain a stable grasp in the UK economy Boots needs a stable business. The matrix structure consisting of effective interaction through out the levels and a hold on control ensures that the business runs smoothly and is stable in doing so. This reaches the objective of taking a strong hold in the UK business field, which can lead, to greater expansion and globalization. Companies can survive at a steady pace without altering too much about the workings of the business. However to expand, as Boots wish to, some of the most beneficial ideas may come from staff low down in the hierarchical structure. It is for this reason that the matrix structure is extremely beneficial as communication and interaction is strong between the levels so ideas can quickly be picked up on along with problems. This benefits the performance of the business and issues are quickly picked up on. This also contributes to the working towards of the objective relevant to expansion and customer loyalty as both business and custom seek to gain return from the matrix structures benefits and overall performance of the business as a whole. The matrix structure has many advantages that would not be applicable if the organization structure was of another form. The chain of command within the business ensures that the communication within the different groups is regular and effective. Within the boots organization there are many different sections that deal with different aspects of the business. The seven sections within the Boots group deal with their specific part of the business whether it is the chemist, retail or health care. The specialization within the business is a great advantage to all concerned. The staff employed in each of the sections are special trained in that area. Specialization is a great advantage to the business as it means that jobs can be carried out informatively and effectively. As staff is specialized in their area they provide great customer service as they are well educated in the fields in which they work. Empowerment enables the staff within the different sections to have freedom to do tasks that they are delegated without supervisions. This increases moral and self-motivation, as the staff feels confident and independent within the business. High motivation increases staff productivity, which improves the performance of the business. The span of control within the individual areas of the business ensures that the business is smooth running and any problems that occur can be dealt with quickly and efficiently. This is an advantage, as problems do not have to travel into other areas of the business through the chain of command. The separate sections of the business are independent in the way they work. This ensures the business has high levels of control throughout the whole business in all sections and all can be accessed quickly through the chain of command. All these are advantages that help a great deal towards improving the performance of the business for the reasons listed. Communication within Boots There are many different types of communication that businesses can adopt. Different forms of communication are used in different situations within a business. The main types of communication that are used now a day revolve around ICT. ICT stands for Information Communication Technology. Communication is used everyday from the second a business opens in the morning till the second that it closes. With out communication a business would never reach its full potential or have the smooth operations it could achieve. Within a large business, like a PLC or LTD like boots communication is essential. Without communication different sections of the business would not operate well together and issues could quickly fall out of hand. Communication through the chain of command is so important in keeping a business afloat and operating efficiently. Good communication ensures that the business keeps control and the top of the hierarchical structure is aware, or can easily find out the major movements from day to day. Between departments and hierarchical levels communication links must be strong as decisions and movements are often made that effect other departments. There are many different types of communication method. The specific sectors include   Written   Non-verbal. Verbal   Electronic Face to face Each of these has specific areas in which it is of most benefit to use. Different types of communication are used dependant on the issue that is relevant, who is sending it, and who is receiving it. It is important that communication towards employees is regular and efficient. This is because employees need to be kept informed of the movement of the business in all aspects. If there is product alterations or price changes employees must be informed straight away so that no problems occur within the business. Also information about extra shifts, overtime, work hours and bonuses, especially over Christmas are very important in the smooth operation and motivation of the staff. Supervisors and managers are usually the ones who would communicate with the staff. There are many methods that could be used. Employees could be informed and communicated with by the use of notice boards. This is a cheap method, which means that everyone can see the information present. This is a good method if everyone is aware there is a notice to be seen. This could easily be ignored or not notice quickly however. Letters with the employees pay slips are a good method to use, as it is likely that a very high majority of the employees will read them. This is good if it can wait till payday for the notice to go out although still staff may not read them. A team meeting at the beginning of the day is a very efficient way of communicating with staff as issues can be raised and the employees can communicate also. This means that everyone can be informed and there are no excuses why staff ignores issues raised. Employees who have computers (not floor workers) such as administration areas and HRM can be communicated with many more forms of modern communication such as email and uses of the Intranet. Managers and supervisors need to be able to receive communication from higher up in the chain of command and also to be able to distribute down the chain. This is very important. Higher levels in the hierarchical structure need to be able to communicate regularly and efficiently in order to hold a strong level of control over the business and make alterations and give advice where necessary. It is very important this area of the business is easy to communicate with so that no time is wasted in trying to do so. Managers in the Boots organization have offices in individual branches and headquarters; some supervisors also have computer access. This enables Boots to provide computers for the staff that is a great benefit when it comes to communication. The use of computers means that these managers can be easily and quickly communicated with via the use of email, Intranet messaging and time tabled events that may be stored and altered on network software that is specific to the Boots store. Different forms of communication are used in different parts of the business depending on different factors. These factors determine the form of communication and approach taken. These are described below.   Formal   Informal   Important   Urgent   Optional   Open to all   Sent to a specific person   Person   Impersonal   Relaxed   Who its aimed towards   Who its from Confidential This all affect what type of communication are used in different situations within the business. The different categories that the forms of communication fall into are know as the channels of communication.