CT 310 Organizational
Communication
Dimensions of Structure
MSU-Billings
Chancellor
Structure describes:
Director of
Atheletics
• work roles
Administrative
Vice Chancellor
• communication
relationships
Dir
Comp
Academic
Vice Chancellor
Director Grad Studies
Dean of Ed/
Human S.
Dean of Arts
and Sciences
4 depts.
Chair
Comm.&Theatre
Professor 1
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
5.5 others
Class 4
9 other depts.
Directo
and Su
Dean of
Business
2 depts.
‘decision’ is
derived from the
latin word
decidere, which
means to cut off.
Structure varies by:
• goals
• technology
• environment
• size
• key individuals
the alternative to
structure is chaos.
MSU-Billings
Chancellor
Structure describes:
Director of
Atheletics
• work roles
Administrative
Vice Chancellor
• communication
relationships
Dir
Comp
Academic
Vice Chancellor
Director Grad Studies
Dean of Ed/
Human S.
Dean of Arts
and Sciences
4 depts.
Chair
Comm.&Theatre
Professor 1
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
5.5 others
Class 4
9 other depts.
Directo
and Su
Dean of
Business
2 depts.
‘decision’ is
derived from the
latin word
decidere, which
means to cut off.
Structure varies by:
• goals
• technology
• environment
• size
• key individuals
the alternative to
structure is chaos.
There are a number of formal
structures possible:
• matrix
Aircraft Company
R&D Assembl Market
civilian
military
commer
•work teams
B
A
C
E
D
• spider
plant
Student-to-Chancellor Ch
• hierarchy
MSU-Billings
Chancellor
Director of
Atheletics
Administrative
Vice Chancellor
Director of
Computer Center
Academic
Vice Chancellor
Director Grad Studies
Dean of Ed/
Human S.
Dean of Arts
and Sciences
4 depts.
Chair
Comm.&Theatre
Professor 1
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
5.5 others
Class 4
9 other depts.
Director of Cont. Ed.
and Summer Sessio
Dean of
Business
Dean of
Tech.
Interim Dean
of Students
2 depts.
8 depts.
etc.
Dimensions of hierarchy:
• horizontal complexity =
specialization
not specialized
boss
worker worker worker
This is more horizontally
complex.
Specialized
Boss
Saleserpson
Repairperson
Accountant
Vertical complexity = number of
levels
Flat
Specialized
Boss
Saleserpson
Repairperson
Accountant
Student-to-Chancellor
MSU-Billings
Chancellor
tall
Director of
Atheletics
Administrative
Vice Chancellor
Director of
Computer Center
Academic
Vice Chancellor
Director Grad Studies
Dean of Ed/
Human S.
Dean of Arts
and Sciences
4 depts.
Chair
Comm.&Theatre
Professor 1
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
5.5 others
Class 4
9 other depts.
Director of Cont. Ed.
and Summer Sessio
Dean of
Business
Dean of
Tech.
Interim Dean
of Students
2 depts.
8 depts.
etc.
centrality = degree to which
decisons are made at the top
of the structure.
• centralized = at the top
• decentralized = workers
empowered
Span of control
• narrow
Narrow span of control
boss
worker 1 worker 2
• wide
wider span of control
boss
worker 1 worker 2 worker 3 worker 4 worker 5
narrow vs. wide??
formalization = how well follow
chart?
• formal = follow to the letter.
• informal = not so stringent
Emergent communication
networks = result of formal and
informal communication among
those who work together.
It is who you are linked to. . .
So, to be more effective at work:
you need to develop key
relationships in your organization
which will allow you greater
control over your own
participation.
Steve's Network
Cont.
Ed.
Chancellor
Provost
Fiscal
V.C.
Barb
Ed.
Dean
Dave
Union
Steve
Molly
Dan
Dept
Vicki
Dept
Lorrie
Business
Human
Resources
Others
Dept
• Liaison = connects groups, but
doesn’t belong
• boundary spanners (bridges) =
represent group to the outside
• Isolates = out of luck
• Why would this university
form strategic alliances?
• Give an illustration
• The advent of EMOs.
Networked Society: I keep a
list of scholars across the
country with whom I
communicate on a regular
basis via the internet.
I belong to CRTNET, which
sends me 8-10 messages daily
relevant to my work. Check it
out at:
CRTNET@NATCOM.ORG
Find your own networks.