Section C Essay: HR (Culture & Change)

With reference to one or two organizations you have studied, discuss how the organisational
structure of each has been influenced by culture and change. (20 marks) Key Questions

Which organisation (s) will you choose? Do they have a dominant culture or have been subject
to changes in recent years?

What is organisational structure?-What types of structure have we studied?

(tall/flat/hierarchy/project based/matrix/formal/informal/flexible/rigid)

What is culture?

How does culture influence organisational structure?

What is change? What types of changes have occurred in your chosen business?

Has the organisational structure had to change to adapt to the aforementioned change?

Is the change in organisational structure temporary or permanent? Was it necessary?

Are there any theorists that support the viewpoint of changing organisational structures?

What specific type of culture allows for flexibility of structures?

How important is workforce planning?

Does the type of structure depend on anything e.g. number of workers?

How relevant is leadership style?

Has the business environment changed in recent years?

How has technology been incorporated into organisational structures?

Have technological developments changed communication channels?

How are culture and change interlinked?

Which is more dominant in deciding upon the firms organisational structure: change or
culture?

Are all businesses different?

Does tradition and history play a part?

 Why may new job roles be created?

Do any particular structures create synergy which could promote a positive culture?

How relevant are corporate objectives when examining organisational structure e.g. expansion
overseas and a regional based organisational structure rather than function.

Is decision making centralised or decentralised?

To what extent does a changing skill set of employees need to be addressed?

Does trust play a significant part when examining whether a business has a tall or flat
structure?