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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Business organisational structure

A small start-up is run by its founder, who makes nearly all decisions and coordinates work by personal direct supervision. Which of Mintzberg's structural configurations does this best describe?

This describes the simple structure. In Mintzberg's model it is dominated by the strategic apex, usually a founder, who coordinates through direct supervision. There is little formalisation, a small technostructure and few middle managers, so it suits small, young organisations in simple environments.

  1. AMachine bureaucracy
  2. BProfessional bureaucracy
  3. CSimple structureCorrect
  4. DDivisionalised form

Explanation

The simple structure relies on direct supervision from the strategic apex, has little formalisation and few middle managers, and suits small, young organisations. A machine bureaucracy depends on standardised work processes and a large technostructure, which does not fit a founder-run start-up.

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