A hybrid organizational structure combines different organizational models to create a unique blend that is ideal for the organization’s culture. It promotes flexibility, creativity, and employee participation while retaining authoritarian elements. It allows departments to enjoy greater authority and responsibility while ensuring that no department harms the interests of the rest of the company.
A hybrid organizational structure is an approach to designing the internal operating structure of a company or other entity in a way that uses different organizational models, rather than relying on one particular model. Depending on the nature and type of organization, this approach can combine various elements of lateral and hierarchical structures, creating a unique blend that is ideal for the purposes and culture of the organization involved. Typically, a hybrid organizational structure will seek to integrate the more desirable elements of other approaches to business organization into the model, while also organizing the business structure in such a way as to minimize any elements seen as liabilities.
There are several reasons why a company or other entity should consider this type of organizational structure. One has to do with the ability to be flexible. While retaining the authoritarian elements present in a hierarchical structure, a hybrid would also allow various departments to enjoy a greater degree of authority and responsibility within their individual areas. With this model, the company would be better suited to identify and act on opportunities more quickly, without having to wait for approval from those higher up in the company or organization. At the same time, the checks and balances put in place help ensure that no department is able to take actions that ultimately harm the interests of the rest of the company.
In some cases, the concept of a hybrid organizational structure is primarily about the allocation of activities in terms of what is done internally to keep the business operating at peak efficiency. In this scenario, each area or department has considerable freedom to manage their assigned tasks and may even be able to work closely with one or two other departments in order to complete tasks relevant to both departments. With a hybrid approach, the emphasis is often more on getting the job done and less on following a highly specific procedure to handle that job. From this point of view, a hybrid organizational structure promotes creativity among employees, while establishing parameters that keep the company compliant with any government regulations or industry standards that may apply.
With a hybrid organizational structure, employees are likely to feel more invested in the business, as there are additional avenues for participation in the real life of the company beyond just going to work and performing tasks in a prescribed manner. This type of flexible organization often has arrangements that allow employees to participate in committees and projects that help strengthen the business, boost morale, and sometimes lead to ideas that in the long run benefit the business, its owners, and everyone connected to it. to the operation. While keeping the ultimate responsibility in the hands of owners and managers, but providing additional opportunities for employees to make decisions and grow, the result can be a dynamic business that can respond to changing market conditions more easily, inspire greater employee loyalty, dependent, and generally compete in virtually any type of economy.
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