4_Structure

Question 1

What are two (extreme) ways to organize?

Answer 1

1) Hierarchy - organization with people at the top
2) Heterarchy - organization with equals

Question 2

What is the difference between ‘mechanistic structures’ & ‘organic structures’?

Answer 2

Mechanistic structures: centralized, formal, rigid -> Efficiency

Organic structures: decentralized, informal, flexible -> Flexibility

Question 3

How do companies cope with the ambidexterity paradox?

Answer 3

1) Outsourcing
-> Either exploration or exploitation

2) Temporal ambidexterity
-> Alternate between longer periods of exploitation with shorter periods of exploration

3) Structural ambidexterity
-> Separate business units focused on exploration or exploitation

4) Contextual ambidexterity
-> A supportive organizational context to choose between alignment and adaptability

Question 4

What is structural ambidexterity?

Answer 4

It separates exploration from exploitation -> challenges like isolation

Question 5

What is contextual ambidexterity?

Answer 5

Gives integration and knowledge transfer ->challenges like role ambiguity

Question 6

Which type of ambidexterity is suited for large organizations and high-tech industries?

Answer 6

Structural ambidexterity

Question 7

Which type of ambidexterity is suited for small organizations and local innovation?

Answer 7

Contextual ambidexterity

Question 8

What are the main benefits of structural ambidexterity?

Answer 8

Buffers from exploration from exploitation, overcomes resources and routine rigidity, and provides goals clarity

Question 9

What are the main benefits of contextual ambidexterity

Answer 9

Easier integration, transfer of tacit knowledge, reduced organizational complexity, and difficult to imitate

Question 10

What are the main challenges of structural ambidexterity?

Answer 10

Isolation, difficult integration and collaboration, and coordination costs

Question 11

What are the main challenges of contextual ambidexterity

Answer 11

Role ambiguity, no specialization, information overload, and bias towards current business