Paper 1 · organisational structure
Which of the following is a genuine disadvantage of a matrix organisational structure?
AIt reduces communication between specialists working on different projects.
BIt gives every employee one single manager to report to directly.
CIt makes the firm less able to respond quickly to changing markets.
DIt duplicates management roles, raising the cost of running the firm.
Explanation: A matrix structure requires both project coordinators and functional managers to carry out management duties, so management roles and consultations are duplicated, making it more expensive to run than a simpler structure. In practice a matrix actually increases cross-specialist communication, breaks the single-manager chain of command, and is valued for being flexible in responding to changing markets, which is why those descriptions are wrong.
Derived from ZIMSEC Business_studies Paper 1, November 2018, Q5
