ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Organisational culture
A consultancy forms small project teams made up of specialists from different departments. Teams are given a client problem, work flexibly, and authority is based on expertise rather than position. Which statement about this culture under Handy's model is most accurate?
This is a task culture, where teams of experts are formed to solve specific problems and influence comes from expertise. Such cultures are flexible and adapt well to change. Role culture is rule-driven and power culture is centralised, so neither fits.
- AIt is a task culture, and it is likely to adapt well to changing conditionsCorrect
- BIt is a role culture, and it is likely to be stable and predictable
- CIt is a power culture, and decisions are made centrally by one leader
- DIt is a person culture, and the organisation exists to serve its individual members
Explanation
Task culture is job- or project-oriented, uses team-based expert power and is flexible and adaptable. Role culture is bureaucratic and rule-bound, so it does not fit. Person culture is about individuals' own interests, not teamwork on client problems.
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