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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Enabling success: organising

Halvorsen Engineering runs a matrix structure in which project engineers report both to a functional head (for example, mechanical design) and to a project manager. Several engineers complain of conflicting instructions and slow decisions. Which feature of a matrix structure best explains this problem?

The problem stems from dual reporting lines in the matrix. Engineers answer to both a functional head and a project manager, which breaks unity of command and creates conflicting instructions, unclear priorities and slower decisions unless the split of authority is clearly defined.

  1. ADual reporting lines that create role ambiguity and conflict over prioritiesCorrect
  2. BExcessive specialisation within a single functional line only
  3. CLoss of economies of scale due to full divisionalisation
  4. DReliance on external contractors, leading to loss of control

Explanation

A matrix gives staff two bosses, which breaks the unity of command principle. This causes conflicting priorities and slower decisions unless the authority split is clear. The other options describe divisional or network issues, not matrix features.

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