Which statement best describes a functional/departmental structure?

Which statement best describes a functional/departmental structure?

• A. Groups employees based on geographic regions.
• B. Groups employees based on product lines.
• C. Groups employees based on specific skills or functions.
• D. Groups employees based on seniority.

Answer: (C)

Functional/departmental structure groups employees by specialized functions such as marketing, finance, or human resources. This arrangement concentrates expertise, streamlines supervision within each function, and supports efficient use of resources and clear career paths within a function. The statement that best describes this is grouping employees based on specific skills or functions. Grouping by geographic regions focuses on location rather than function, grouping by product lines centers on products rather than internal expertise, and grouping by seniority centers on rank or tenure rather than function. Functional structures work well for developing deep skills and efficient functional workflows, though they can create silos that hinder cross-functional collaboration.

Functional/departmental structure groups employees by specialized functions such as marketing, finance, or human resources. This arrangement concentrates expertise, streamlines supervision within each function, and supports efficient use of resources and clear career paths within a function. The statement that best describes this is grouping employees based on specific skills or functions. Grouping by geographic regions focuses on location rather than function, grouping by product lines centers on products rather than internal expertise, and grouping by seniority centers on rank or tenure rather than function. Functional structures work well for developing deep skills and efficient functional workflows, though they can create silos that hinder cross-functional collaboration.