In business organization structure means the relationship between positions and people who hold the positions. Organization structure is very important because it provides an efficient work system as well as a system of communication.
Historically line structure is the oldest type of organization structure. The main idea of it is direct vertical relationships between the positions and tasks of each level and the positions and tasks above and below each level. For example a sales manager may be in a line position between a vice-president of marketing and a salesman. Thus a vice-president of marketing has direct authority over a sales manager. A sales manager in his turn has direct authority over a salesman. This chain of command simplifies the problems of giving and taking orders.
When a business grows in size and becomes more complex there is a need for specialists. In such case administrators may organize staff departments and add staff specialists to do specific work. These people are usually busy with services; they are not tied in with the company product. The activities of the staff departments include an accounting, personnel, credit and advertising. Generally they do not give orders to other departments.
Active Vocabulary
relationship
to hold a position
organization structure
level
sales manager
salesman
to have direct authority over smb
staff
to give orders
to take orders
a line department
staff department
to be tied in with the company
product
complex
взаимоотношение
занимать должность
организационная структура
уровень
управляющий по торговле, маркетингу
продавец, торговец
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иметь прямую власть над кем-л.
штат
отдавать приказы
принимать приказы
линейный отдел (имеющий непосредственное отношение к конечному продукту)
штабной отдел (не имеющий прямого отношения к производству, но его обслуживающий)
иметь отношение к конечному продукту
сложный
Comprehension Questions
1. What does the organization structure mean?
2. What does the organization structure provide?
3. What is historically the oldest type of organization structure?
4. In what position is a sales manager in attitude to a vice-president of marketing and a salesman?
5. What is the difference between line and staff departments?
6. Why is an advertising department or a credit department considered staff structure rather than line structure?
Vocabulary Practice
Choose the necessary word and put it in the sentence: