Mintzbergs Organisation Form

Question 1

What is it?

Answer 1

Mintzberg described organisational forms using an organigram made up of 5 components that need to be in the appropriate balance for the strategy, environment and culture that they face.

Question 2

Strategic Apex

Answer 2

The source of direction for the organisation (i.e. the board of directors), who seek to control.

Question 3

Strategic Apex - Type of Business

Answer 3

A simple or entrepreneurial structure

Question 4

Strategic Apex - TFT

Answer 4

This is made up of the board members.

Given the relatively small size of Thomas (around 100 employees) and the company being run and owned by the direct decedents of the founder, Joseph Thomas, the apex is likely to be the driving force behind Thomas’ future strategy

Question 5

Middle Line

Answer 5

This is the middle line managers that convert direction into tasks and procedures, who seek autonomy.

Question 6

Middle Line - Type of business

Answer 6

Divisional structure

Question 7

Middle Line - TFT

Answer 7

These are the middle managers. With the exception of Steve (production) each of the managers has a relatively small span of control indicating quite a big middle line for the size of the company

Question 8

Operating Core

Answer 8

This is those who provide the outputs of the organisation, who seek autonomy and mutual working.

Question 9

Operating Core - Type of Business

Answer 9

Professional bureaucracy

Question 10

Operating Core - TFT

Answer 10

These are the staff responsible for making the actual product, and numbers wise this is by far the biggest part of Thomas’ organigram with 72 members of staff being dedicated to production. This is often the case for manufacturing companies

Question 11

Technostucture

Answer 11

The technostucture advises the operating core, seeking to standardise through procedures and checking (e.g. quality control and compliance).

Question 12

Technostructure - Type of business

Answer 12

Machine Bureaucracy

Question 13

Technostructure - TFT

Answer 13

This is likely to be our buyers and blenders. Although relatively small in numbers compared to production, this is vital to the success of Thomas as both these teams are concerned with ensuring that each bag of tea tastes exactly the same.

Question 14

Support Staff

Answer 14

Support staff support the operating core, seeking their expertise to be recognised as vital (admin, finance).

Question 15

Support staff - type of business

Answer 15

Adhocracy

Question 16

Support staff - TFT

Answer 16

This is mostly just low level administration functions with Thomas (e.g. payroll, purchase ledger). However, the role of myself and the rest of the finance team can be seen as important in aiding the board with decision making.