Question 1)
Six key elements of organizational design:
Work Specialization refers to the degree of organization of work is divided into a number of steps to complete the task and different person completes each step. Based on the case, Buckman Lab is divided the tasks to different skilled people to finish in the past. Now, Buckman Lab is less work specialization in the K,Neti-knowledge network. Hence, Employees are involved in variety roles such as providing information, answering question and so on. Departmentalization includes two parts Traditional Organization Structures and Horizontal Organization Structures. Traditional Organization Structures is divided three structures that are Functional, divisional and matrix; Horizontal Organization Structures is divided three structures that are team , network and Boundaryless structures. Referring to the case study, Buckman Lab is functional departmentalization which is grouped jobs by functions performed in the past; Buckman Lab changed to the network structure that sharing and transferring information and knowledge immediately via the online platform- K’Netix.
Chain of command includes authority and responsibility and unity of command. It is to order the authority from the top level to bottom level. The subordinates have the obligation to perform assigned tasks and should report to their own manger. According to the case, Buckman Lab is command and control structure and more management in the past. Now, Bob Buckman created a Knowledge Transfer Department and order Victor Baillargeon in charge of the department. K’Netix network provides same information so that is unnecessary management level and become flexible structure.
Span of control refers to determine the number of subordinates direct reporting to a manger and determine the number of employees a manger can efficiently and effectively manger. Regarding the case study,Buckman Lab is narrower span of control that is in old