Matrix

     A matrix structure is where managers group people and resources in two ways by functions. Grouped workers can learn from each other, become more skilled, more flexible, and more productive. Members from different departments can work together to develop a product (Jones, Gareth, George, Jennifer).  A pro of this type of system is its delicate balance of power (Liu, Cui Shunji, Valjakka, Julius, Croonen Dirk). Other advantages include: leading to an efficient exchange of information, departments working close together and communicating with each other frequently to solve issues. The matrix structure encourages a democratic leadership style. This style incorporates the input of team members before managers make decisions. The ability to contribute valuable information before decisions can lead to employee satisfaction and increased motivation (Johnson, Rose).

     Some disadvantages include: dispensing power between workers, high cost, excessive turnover, and interpersonal conflicts (Liu, Cui Shunji, Valjakka, Julius, Croonen Dirk). A matrix structure has internal complexity and some employees can become confused about who is their direct supervisor. An employee within a large organization may receive different directions concerning the same thing from supervisors from other departments. The dual authority and communication problems may cause division among employees and managers. Miscommunication and ineffective managing can result in employee dissatisfaction and low morale. Prolonged issues may cause an organization to experience high employee turnover and it can be expensive (Johnson, Rose).   

     A product team structure is where employees are permanently assigned to a cross- functional team and report to a product team manager. It differs from a matrix structure by two or more people reporting to higher management and employees are assigned to a cross-functional team that brings new or redesigned products to the market (Jones, Gareth, George, Jennifer). A cross-functional team is a group of managers brought together from different departments to perform organizational tasks. Advantages include team members who support each other, make their own decisions, and rely on their own expertise to make changes in processes, policies and procedures. Self-contained teams stay focused on their tasks. Within a cross-functional team communication is better between members.

     Disadvantages include lack of management structure by design, effective project management and inefficient resource allocation. To be more successful this style of management needs team members that are competent, and highly trained team leaders (Duggan, Tara). Individual teams may develop ideas and products in isolation without realizing the impact on other company employees, customers, products or services. This leads to less organizational collaboration and sharing of best practices, which could result in higher costs, increased waste, and decreased customer satisfaction (Duggan, Tara).

      A multidivisional structure is composed of separate business units that work together to produce a specific product for a specific customer. Some advantages include: allowing a team to focus upon a single product or service, having its own president or vice president which makes it more likely the division will receive the resources it needs from the company; and it allows it to build a common culture which contributes both to higher morale and a better knowledge of the division's portfolio (Gillikin, Jason).

      Some advantages of a multidivisional structure include: allowing a team to focus upon a single product or service, having its own president or vice president which makes it more likely the division will receive the resources it needs from the company; and allows to build a common culture which contributes both to higher morale and a better knowledge of the division's portfolio (Gillikin, Jason).

       Some disadvantages include: some corporate employees may duplicate the activities or efforts of divisional employees and it can minimize flexibility within a company. There may be strict corporate policies from the main office that can limit certain divisional efforts or strategies. Multidivisional structures can cause competition among divisions and their incentive packages. Many managers and sales reps can earn bonuses that can be very costly (Stuttle, Rick). 

        I think that a product team structure can be the most effective for this web company. For example, within my high school, there was a group of workers that formed the student awareness team (SAT). Expert workers from each department would meet together every other week and compare interactions with troubled students. They would work together to develop a behavior management plan.  They had only one direct supervisor that attended the meetings.  He would keep the team on track and enforced short turnaround deadlines.  Every member of the team answered directly to only one supervisor. That supervisor would be responsible to report to higher level supervisors to validate functions and actions by the team.  All team members would meet in groups of two or three and communicate between meetings to update behavior plan implementation, devise new plans, and establish recommendations before the meeting. This would empower each team member and also hold each worker accountable. This approach keeps workers more satisfied within the working structure and clearly indicates which members are being productive and which are not. 

Bibliography

Duggan, Tara. "The Disadvantages of Team-Based Organizational Structure." Small Business. N.p., 2 June 2012. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/disadvantages-teambased-organizational-structure-22216.html.

Gillikin, Jason. "Advantages & Disadvantages of Divisional Organizational Structure." Small Business. N.p., 13 Nov. 2011. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-divisional-organizational-structure-611.html.

Johnson, Rose. "Advantages & Disadvantages of Matrix Organizational Structures in Business Organizations." Small Business. N.p., 5 July 2011. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-matrix-organizational-structures-business-organizations-26350.html.

Liu, Shunji Cui, Julius Valjakka, and Dirk Croonen. "Matrix Structure 1." Matrix Structure 1. Slide Share, 16 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. http://www.slideshare.net/JuuliusV/matrix-structure-1.

Suttle, Rick. "Multi-divisional Structure Disadvantages." EHow. Demand Media, 20 May 2011. Web. 22 Oct. 2013. http://www.ehow.com/info_8458169_multidivisional-structure-disadvantages.html.

Burger King

The business I researched was Burger King that was founded in 1954. It’s the 2^nd largest fast food hamburger chain in the world and famous for the Whopper. Their strategy has been to be committed to premium ingredients, signature recipes, and family friendly dinning. Since they are a fast food restaurant they are able to provide quick, cheap prices for their food that is desirable to many consumers. In 1959 Burger King started to expand across the United States and internationally and by 1967 there were 275 restaurants. In 1989 Burger King started to add kids into the scene to attract more business.  Over the years Burger King has incorporated updates such as remodeling their restaurants, offering on-line gift cards for all occasions, a mascot, different foods, and a 1-800 telephone number where the customer  comments on their experience at the restaurant.  This constant slight reinvention has made Burger King successful and progressive. Their web site is attractively done and has a timeline of events of how Burger King has evolved. 

 www.bk.com/en/us/company-info/about-bk.html

Important Choice

My decision that I made recently that has important consequences for me is continuing to be successful in college. My end goal is to obtain a 4 year degree in human services.  This is my junior year and as my educational level progresses, so does the intensity, and complexity of the material.  Therefore it became evident to me that if I wanted to reach my goal and be successful I had to be more intense in my dedication to the course work required.  

What was your decision-making process?

The decision making process that I used was: 1^st I recognized that I needed to look at my educational process and decide how I was going to proceed 2^nd I interpreted that to be able to obtain a degree the college had certain expectations 3^rd I made a judgment that I felt was the best choice for me. I weighed my options of staying in school successful or leaving school and attempting to get a job with the amount of education I have already.  4^th I had personal motivation to be successful hoping that this would secure a better future for me in the working world. I made my final decision when I attended class the first week. I realized that my classes were going to be challenging and in order to pass I would had to study harder and longer. 

Did you identify criteria and list alternatives?

After I decided that I wanted to stay in college it was pass or fail, high grades or low grades. I made a choice of being motivated to obtain the best grades that I can.

Was the information available to you complete?  

I was very well informed by the college what the expectation were to be able to obtain the degree that I desired. After attending the first week of class each professor provided the grading/requirements for their specific class. 

How did you finally reach the decision?

I started immediately working to be successful for this semester. I go to the library on a regular schedule and actively work at the course requirements while I am there. At this point in time my grades indicate that the course that I have chosen is working. 

Was it a conscious process or based on intuition?

I made a conscious decision to be fully engaged in my educational process.  I have to stay focused every day to overcome distractions and obstacles.  Living on campus can be a positive and a negative.  I am constantly surrounded with all kinds of class mates, friends and activities that could derail my end goal. 

At the end of the day, do you think you made a reasonable decision?

My feedback has been to continue to do what I am doing.  My grades have been reflecting a level that I desire and every day I strive to improve. I plan to continue on the course of action I have chosen.  

What if anything, might you do to improve your ability to make good decisions in the future?

I plan to continue to use the decision making process throughout my life. Many times when there are many options available to make a decision I will use a pro and con list approach. Making the lists helps make it much clearer for me to make a decision. 

Being Treated Unfairly

       I have experienced not being treated fairly because of my learning style.  I had been granted by the college to take examinations in another setting.  This request by a professional was well documented and coordinated by a department within the college. At a previous college I attended I went and submitted the proper paper work and was granted to test separate from the class as a whole.  I then went to the teacher, introduced myself and discussed my needs. 

       First he discriminated against me by asking why I required testing in a separate location. That is against the law and he had no right to ask that question.  When I asked him about the testing arrangements he told me that it was an unusual request and it would be difficult to meet but he guessed that he could arrange it.  I went to class for the first test and he told me that he had not made any arrangements for me.

       I went back to the coordinating department and expressed my concerns. They contacted him and I met with him again. He did set me up in a separate testing area but was within a secretary’s office.  She talked constantly with other staff members, the phone rang, the photocopy machine buzzed and she stared at me like I had some really big issue. It defeated the whole purpose and I felt very discriminated against.  I struggled with the arrangements a couple more times (we had weekly tests) and finally just gave up and took the tests within the classroom. I passed the course, but I felt that his lack of appropriate action contributed to my limited success within the course.

      Why do you think the decision maker acted unfairly in this situation? He had made a casual comment to me that he should have had special arrangements in college himself, but never got them.

       Was the decision maker aware that he was acting unfairly? I know the professor was well aware that he was discriminating against me.

      What could you or the person who treated you unfairly have done to improve the matters to rectify the injustice on the spot? I felt that I did try to correct the situation but did not really dare push it because I needed the course to meet my degree requirements. All he had to do was follow the guidelines.

      If you had authority over the decision maker, what steps would you take to ensure that the decision maker no longer treated diverse individuals unfairly? I returned to the coordinating department after class was finished and shared with them my disappointment with the professor, his attitude and lack of proper action. They stated that they thought it had been resolved because they contacted him personally and he said everything was going fine. So if I was his supervisor I would have called the student personally and maybe even done a classroom visit unannounced to ensure the guidelines were being followed.