8

5. Evaluation of options

The comparison between commonly used hierarchical organization structure and lattice
structure is shown below:

Hierarchical structure Lattice structure

1 The employees will get role-specific tasks No one assigns a task to the employees. They
means task is assigned to them can choose takes that they think they like

2 Strict hierarchy No hierarchy, employees can take the decisions

3 Communication happens top to down and Communication happens through CLOU

the reporting system
4 Need to take approval before buying any The employees can take decisions for buying
equipment equipment

The advantages of the lattice structure are as follows:

1) As employees are given the freedom to select the task, they will stay highly motivated
and deliver high quality of work as the responsibility to perform good will come from
within and no one is forcing them.
2) The structure will help the employees to develop their skills as they will be involved in
a multidimensional role. Aron was offered a role in quality assurance for monitoring
functions but as in winter work is less, he decided to learn the pack scheduling process.
Later he was given the responsibility of Los Banos plant.
3) Also this will lead to more innovation as employees can take the decisions and take
initiatives on their own.
4) As the employees will have to take responsibilities and make decisions, they will
become experts in their field, leading to high efficiency.

The disadvantage of this structure are as follows:

1) Lack of accountability as employees may fail to explain or deliver a strong message to
colleagues, leading to their commitment and performance. On of the employee working
as a mechanic languished was in the same role for the past four years as there is no one
to give him direction.