Mintzberg Organisation

By contrast, Mintzberg’s model breaks down the organisation into five generic
components, considering the role of each in relation to coordinating its activities.

These are:
 strategic apex
 middle line
 operating core
 technostructure
 support staff.
Figure 1 shows these activities in diagrammatic form.
Strategic apex
This element of the organisation is made up of directors and senior executives. Their
role is to interpret or define the mission of the organisation and ensure that its
objectives are consistent with this mission. The strategic apex is also responsible for
managing the organisation’s relationship with the macro-environment.
Operating core
The operating core carries out the activities necessary to deliver outputs.
Middle line
This element provides the link between the strategic apex and the operating core.
The role is partially one of interpretation, as the work of the operating core has to be
consistent with the expectations and plans of the strategic apex. Simple, smaller
organisations may not have a middle line at all.
Technostructure
The technostructure is made up of key individuals and teams working in functions

such as human resources, training, finance and planning. Mintzberg states that there
are several roles here. Analysers decide on the best ways to perform jobs and seek
to standardise skills. Planners decide on outputs and define quality requirements.
Support staff
Support staff work in functions such as research and development, public relations
and legal services. Their outputs do not contribute directly to the core purposes of
the organisation, but their activities contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of
the strategic apex, middle line and operating core.
The relative influence of these elements to one another have a significant impact on
the nature of the organisation. Mintzberg asserts that each element will have a
preferred means of coordination. For example, the strategic apex will attempt to
coordinate through direct supervision, and will be especially important in smaller
organisations with simpler structures. The middle line seeks to standardise outputs,
while the technostructure attempts to standardise work processes. The operating
core will try to standardise skills.
Organisation structures
Based on his organisational model, Mintzberg described five categories of

organisation structure, each of which would rely on one specific element of the
model.
Simple structure
The simple structure is centralised and often autocratic, with power emanating from
the strategic apex. Typically, control is exerted by the chief executive or small,
influential executive team. Perhaps due to its simplicity, the structure can be flexible
and sometimes informal, with a strongly defined sense of mission. However,
Mintzberg warns that the simple structure is vulnerable, stating ‘one heart attack can
wipe out the organisation’s prime coordinating mechanism’.
Machine bureaucracy
This structure relies heavily on a robust technostructure. Strategic planners and

financial controllers are influential, leading to the creation of multiple layers of
management, formal procedures and standardised production processes. Due to the
high degree of standardisation, the tasks performed by the operating core can be
rigid, offering little discretion for the individual. For this reason, Mintzberg observed
that motivation can be difficult and the organisation can be unreceptive to the need
for change. The machine bureaucracy is typified by large-scale car manufacturing
plants.
Professional bureaucracy
Like the machinery bureaucracy, the professional bureaucracy is based on clear

lines of authority and standard administrative practices. However, the practices may
be built on standards set by law, regulations or independent external bodies,
including professional bodies. Mintzberg cites schools, hospitals and professional
practices as examples of this structure. He suggests that the professional
bureaucracy is more democratic than the machine bureaucracy counterpart, and that
it is easier to motivate people. The operating core is the major coordinating
influence.
Divisionalised
In a divisionalised structure, a small central core provides guidelines for business

units that enjoy a high degree of autonomy. Mintzberg states that this is an extension
of the machine bureaucracy, or may even comprise several machine bureaucracies
within a single corporation. It is the middle line that forms a strong coordinating
influence, as its key role is to translate the demands of the small central core into the
objectives of the operating core. The divisionalised structure is typical of
multinational companies.
Adhocracy
The adhocracy is task or project-based and has to respond quickly and flexibly to
changing demands. These demands may be driven by rapidly changing markets or
by innovation. There is little formality, so direct supervision and defined processes
are less important than in other organisation structures. Research and development
can be a primary driver of adhocracies, as typified by new technology industries.
The evolution of organisation structures
Mintzberg believes that structures are often a product of their time. He states that
simple structures and machine bureaucracies were a feature of the past, when
developed economies were highly reliant on large-scale production and
manufacturing. By contrast, professional bureaucracies and the divisionalised form
are more common today. Mintzberg predicts that the adhocracy will become more
important in the future.

Mintzberg Organisation

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By contrast, Mintzberg’s model breaks down the organisation into five generic

components, considering the role of each in relation to coordinating its activities.

Figure 1 shows these activities in diagrammatic form.

The technostructure is made up of key individuals and teams working in functions

Based on his organisational model, Mintzberg described five categories of

This structure relies heavily on a robust technostructure. Strategic planners and

Like the machinery bureaucracy, the professional bureaucracy is based on clear

In a divisionalised structure, a small central core provides guidelines for business

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