Spectrum_Brand

Explain how the firm might organize using a Matrix structure for the organization. The firm could organize using a Matrix structure by forming a central line of authority which will allow the flow of information directly to the VP of the firm. This will allow the general manager to have a functional manager over each department report all information to them. By doing this will allow the firm to setup the proper line of communication instead of having to more than one person about their department. Plus it will allow the firm to better meet their customer needs because it will allow them to better concentrate on the problems and complaints of their customers. Matrix structure: three examples of potential communication problems the structure might cause. Recommended corrective actions the company can take to address these issues. The major disadvantage is the cross-reporting function. Since the team members have to report to the project manager as well as the department heads, there is a conflict of loyalty. Conflicts occur because boundaries of authority and responsibility overlap. The functional manager may tell an employee one to do a task and their project manager may tell the employee another way to do the same task. With communication problems like this the firm may have a higher turnover rate and even dissatisfaction among the workers. The employees don't know who actually is in charge because of the lack of communication between the two managers. Conflict and ambiguity can increase feelings of stress with the lack of communication which can end up causing difficulty among employees in demonstrating their personal contributions to team performance because they move so often from one team to another. Explain how the firm could operate using a Multidivisional structure. The firm could operate using a Multidivisional structure because of several ways. Since the firm has a wide variety of products from batteries, shaving & grooming products, personal care products, pet supplies, lawn & garden and home pest control products, to portable lighting. Each of these products and services can be broken down into departments so that they may be better organized and managed better. This can be done by bringing batteries and portable lighting into one department, bringing shaving & grooming products and personal care products into another department, then bring pet supplies, lawn & garden, and home pest control products into another department. This will allow the firm to see how each of the departments do in different geographic locations. Multidivisional structure: three examples of potential communication problems the structure might cause. Recommended corrective actions the company can take to address these issues. One of the main potential communication problems is that work and resources are often repeated in other departments because there is a lack of communication. Another example is that the coordination of work across functional boundaries can become a difficult management challenge. Determining what authority to centralize or decentralize from the corporate to the divisional level can cause a communication problem. Discuss which structure would be more effective' Explain The structure that would be the most effective between the Matrix structure and the Multidivisional structure is the Matrix structure. This is because with the Matrix structure has a rapid response to change in two or more environments. They also allow information to be exchanged more efficient. The Matrix structure can also be used on a temporary basis, which allows the company to use it when needed and once the project has ended the firm can switch to their functional method. At the same time, it can be used as a more permanent basis which will allow the firm to set up accountability, coordination of the production. Recommend to the degree of centralization that would be most effective for the Matrix structure. When it comes to the degree of centralization that would be most effective, I feel that the Matrix structure fits in a centralized organization. This is because in this structure, the upper management allows the product managers to make majority of the decisions when it comes to the making changes. An example of this is when one department slows down and has more employees than are needed, then that manager can allow his employees to help in other departments that have an increase in production. It will also allow the firm to have a prompt product development, have a much better communication between the firm and the team members, and it will allow managers with different functional expertise can cooperate to solve non-programmed decision-making problems. Recommended to the degree of centralization that would be most effective for the Multidivisional structure. For the Multidivisional structure the recommended degree of centralization which would be the most effective is a decentralized organization. This is because any decisions that are made are done from the highest level and goes down to the lowest level of management. Using the decentralized organized here will allow the firm to increase their productions because the employees are able to act at a much faster when changes are made. It also will allow the employees to work together as a whole, the employees are treated with trust which in return they trust the decisions made by the firm, and it will allow the firm to become more closer to their customers and the markets they serve.