An Organisation’s structure is a network of interdependencies among the people and the tasks that make up the Organisation. It is created and sustained by the basic coordination mechanisms of mutual adjustment, direct supervision and standardization, all of which coordinate inter-dependent relationships among people and groups (Wagner and Hollenbeck 2009). Pugh (1990) simplifies this by defining an organizational structure as consisting of activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision, which are directed towards the achievement of organizational aims.
Different types of organisational structures have been proposed (Salaman, 2001; Bamford& West 2010).Wikipedia however, identifies six main categories of an organisation structure as:
1. Pre-bureaucratic structure 2. Bureaucratic structure 3. Post-bureaucratic structure 4. Functional structure 5. Divisional structure 6. Matrix structure
Every organisation has a culture; they are structured according to the way they operate and according to their culture. The structure of an organisation and its culture can affect the way it works and performs. Deal and Kennedy (1982) argue that culture is the single most important factor accounting for success or failure in organizations. They identified four keydimensions of culture: • Values – the beliefs that lie at the heart of the corporate culture. • Heroes – the people who embody values. • Rites and rituals – routines of interaction that have strong symbolic qualities. • The culture network – the informal communication system or hidden hierarchy of power in the organization.
Information gathered from Sainsbury website indicates that they employ the divisional structure of organisation. 6 Operational divisions are listed on their corporate website:
• Sainsbury's stores
Sainsbury's online
Sainsbury's property
Sainsbury's