BUS 374 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Structural Alignment, Toothpaste, Network Virtualization

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Business Administration
• Course: BUS 374
• Professor: Adam Cotteral

Document Summary

Linkage is defined as the extend of communication and coordination among organizational elements: vertical linkages coordinate activities b/w the top and bottom of an organization, designed for the control of the organization. Information systems: significant method of providing horizontal linkage in today"s organizations, cross-functional information systems : managers or front line workers throughout the organization to routinely exchange information about problems, opportunities, activities or decisions. Direct contact: higher level of horizontal linkage, create a special liaison role liaison person is located in one department but has the responsibility for communicating and achieving coordination with another department. If horizontal communication is insufficient departments will find themselves out of synchronization and will not contribute to the overall goals of the organization. Divisional grouping: people are organized according to what the organization produces: ex. Characteristics: structure is created around cross-functional core processes rather than tasks, functions, or geography.