Matrix Structure: an Essential for 21st Century Growth

Abstract

        Modern management employs the management processes of planning, organizing, leading and controlling (POLC) as a tool to achieve organizational objectives. The attention given to the organizing function could help pave the way toward employee fulfillment and human resource development in the organization. The organization structure can be broken down into 6 forms ranging from line, to line and staff, functional, divisional, matrix and strategic business unit. The structure organized by matrix concentrates on the integration of functional and project departments for sharing learning and expertise of the two units, aiming at good customer responsiveness and development of long-term specialization at the same time. The matrix structures can be developed in a variety of forms ranging from pure project to a matrix focused on integration of efforts and knowledge of the functional (vertical) and project (horizontal) units.