Podcast
Questions and Answers
What type of organizational structure did U.S. companies such as DuPont and General Motors move from in the early 20th century?
What type of organizational structure did U.S. companies such as DuPont and General Motors move from in the early 20th century?
- Hierarchical structure
- Matrix structure
- Multidivisional structure
- Functional structure (correct)
Why does Apple commit to a functional organization?
Why does Apple commit to a functional organization?
- To increase organizational complexity
- To facilitate rapid decision-making
- To create products that enrich people's daily lives (correct)
- To encourage competition among teams
How does the text describe Apple’s organizational structure?
How does the text describe Apple’s organizational structure?
- Static and unchanging
- Multidivisional and rigid
- Hierarchical and stagnant
- Functional and ever-evolving (correct)
What has influenced Apple's organizational structure to change over time?
What has influenced Apple's organizational structure to change over time?
In what way does Apple demonstrate that the functional structure may benefit companies facing technological change and industry upheaval?
In what way does Apple demonstrate that the functional structure may benefit companies facing technological change and industry upheaval?
What is one of the key purposes of Apple's commitment to a functional organization?
What is one of the key purposes of Apple's commitment to a functional organization?
What is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units, according to the passage?
What is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units, according to the passage?
According to the passage, what is one of the key benefits of Apple's functional organization structure?
According to the passage, what is one of the key benefits of Apple's functional organization structure?
What is one of the potential 'intermediate steps' the passage suggests companies could take to cultivate the 'experts-leading-experts' model?
What is one of the potential 'intermediate steps' the passage suggests companies could take to cultivate the 'experts-leading-experts' model?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
What does the passage suggest is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is the key benefit of organizing experts in a functional structure, as described in the text?
What is the key benefit of organizing experts in a functional structure, as described in the text?
What is the potential downside of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure?
What is the potential downside of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels'?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels'?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details?
What example does the text provide to illustrate Apple's attention to detail in product design?
What example does the text provide to illustrate Apple's attention to detail in product design?
What does the text suggest about the level of detail that Apple's senior leaders expect from their teams compared to other organizations?
What does the text suggest about the level of detail that Apple's senior leaders expect from their teams compared to other organizations?
What structural change did Jobs implement in Apple upon his return as CEO?
What structural change did Jobs implement in Apple upon his return as CEO?
What distinguishes Apple's organizational chart design from conventional companies?
What distinguishes Apple's organizational chart design from conventional companies?
In what way does Apple's current structure differ from what is typically advised for large, complex companies?
In what way does Apple's current structure differ from what is typically advised for large, complex companies?
What organizational challenge do entrepreneurial firms face as they grow, according to business history and theory?
What organizational challenge do entrepreneurial firms face as they grow, according to business history and theory?
Why is Apple's retention of its functional structure considered remarkable according to the text?
Why is Apple's retention of its functional structure considered remarkable according to the text?
What is one of the challenges companies face when attempting to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is one of the challenges companies face when attempting to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
Why does the passage mention that Apple's functional organization is rare among very large companies?
Why does the passage mention that Apple's functional organization is rare among very large companies?
What is one of the vital elements that might be lost when large companies shift to business units instead of a functional organization?
What is one of the vital elements that might be lost when large companies shift to business units instead of a functional organization?
According to the passage, why do companies often resist transitioning to a functional organization like Apple's?
According to the passage, why do companies often resist transitioning to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What was one of the key issues associated with Apple's conventional structure when Steve Jobs returned in 1997?
What was one of the key issues associated with Apple's conventional structure when Steve Jobs returned in 1997?
In what way did Apple's decentralized business units contribute to internal conflicts, according to the text?
In what way did Apple's decentralized business units contribute to internal conflicts, according to the text?
What role did organizational design play in Apple's innovation success, as highlighted in the text?
What role did organizational design play in Apple's innovation success, as highlighted in the text?
How did Apple's organizational structure change under Steve Jobs' leadership compared to the initial conventional setup in 1997?
How did Apple's organizational structure change under Steve Jobs' leadership compared to the initial conventional setup in 1997?
What was the fundamental reason behind Steve Jobs' decision to redefine Apple's organizational structure upon his return in 1997?
What was the fundamental reason behind Steve Jobs' decision to redefine Apple's organizational structure upon his return in 1997?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation?
According to the passage, what is a potential challenge associated with Apple's functional organization?
According to the passage, what is a potential challenge associated with Apple's functional organization?
According to the passage, what is a key factor that has influenced the evolution of Apple's organizational structure over time?
According to the passage, what is a key factor that has influenced the evolution of Apple's organizational structure over time?
Based on the information provided, which of the following statements best describes the rationale behind Apple's functional organization?
Based on the information provided, which of the following statements best describes the rationale behind Apple's functional organization?
According to the passage, which of the following statements best describes the transition from functional to multidivisional structures in the early 20th century?
According to the passage, which of the following statements best describes the transition from functional to multidivisional structures in the early 20th century?
According to the passage, what is the key benefit of Apple's functional organizational structure in enabling innovation?
According to the passage, what is the key benefit of Apple's functional organizational structure in enabling innovation?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of companies organizing experts across different business units rather than in a functional structure?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of companies organizing experts across different business units rather than in a functional structure?
What does the passage imply is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage imply is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization?
According to the passage, what is the primary reason for Apple's emphasis on having managers with deep expertise in their respective functions?
According to the passage, what is the primary reason for Apple's emphasis on having managers with deep expertise in their respective functions?
Which of the following statements best describes Apple's approach to leadership and management?
Which of the following statements best describes Apple's approach to leadership and management?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons why Apple believes its functional organization structure is effective?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons why Apple believes its functional organization structure is effective?
Based on the information provided, which of the following statements is true regarding Apple's approach to innovation and continuous improvement?
Based on the information provided, which of the following statements is true regarding Apple's approach to innovation and continuous improvement?
According to the passage, what is the key benefit of Apple's functional organization structure where experts lead experts?
According to the passage, what is the key benefit of Apple's functional organization structure where experts lead experts?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels' in Apple's organization?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels' in Apple's organization?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details, as described in the passage?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details, as described in the passage?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units rather than adopting a functional organization like Apple's?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units rather than adopting a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What is one of the key purposes of Apple's commitment to a functional organization, as described in the text?
What is one of the key purposes of Apple's commitment to a functional organization, as described in the text?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is one of the vital elements that might be lost when large companies shift to business units instead of a functional organization, as implied by the passage?
What is one of the vital elements that might be lost when large companies shift to business units instead of a functional organization, as implied by the passage?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
What does the passage suggest is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that enables it to continue innovating and prospering?
According to the passage, what is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
According to the passage, what is a key reason why companies may be hesitant to transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation, as described in the passage?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation, as described in the passage?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What does the passage suggest might be a consequence of not aligning decision rights with expertise in large companies?
What is the key benefit of Apple's functional organization structure in enabling innovation, as described in the passage?
What is the key benefit of Apple's functional organization structure in enabling innovation, as described in the passage?
What is the primary reason Apple has maintained its functional organizational structure, even as the company has grown significantly in size and complexity?
What is the primary reason Apple has maintained its functional organizational structure, even as the company has grown significantly in size and complexity?
What is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is a key challenge or 'external challenge' that companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What is one of the key benefits of Apple's functional organizational structure in enabling innovation, as described in the text?
What is one of the key benefits of Apple's functional organizational structure in enabling innovation, as described in the text?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of companies organizing experts across different business units rather than in a functional structure?
What does the passage suggest is a potential downside of companies organizing experts across different business units rather than in a functional structure?
What is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that the passage suggests enables the company to continue innovating and prospering?
What is a key aspect of Apple's functional organization that the passage suggests enables the company to continue innovating and prospering?
What is a potential drawback of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure, as implied by the passage?
What is a potential drawback of organizing experts across business units rather than in a functional structure, as implied by the passage?
According to the passage, what is one of the key factors that enables Apple to continue innovating and prospering through its functional organization?
According to the passage, what is one of the key factors that enables Apple to continue innovating and prospering through its functional organization?
What is a potential challenge companies face when attempting to transition to a functional organization like Apple's, as suggested by the passage?
What is a potential challenge companies face when attempting to transition to a functional organization like Apple's, as suggested by the passage?
What is the primary difference between Apple's management model and typical companies?
What is the primary difference between Apple's management model and typical companies?
Which of the following statements best describes the rationale behind Apple's functional organization, as implied by the passage?
Which of the following statements best describes the rationale behind Apple's functional organization, as implied by the passage?
Why does Apple believe in having experts lead experts?
Why does Apple believe in having experts lead experts?
What does the text suggest is a core principle of Apple's functional organization?
What does the text suggest is a core principle of Apple's functional organization?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
How does Apple's approach to management differ from the conventional model?
How does Apple's approach to management differ from the conventional model?
What is the key factor influencing decision-making in Apple's functional organization?
What is the key factor influencing decision-making in Apple's functional organization?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation, as described in the passage?
What is a key advantage of Apple's functional organization structure in fostering innovation, as described in the passage?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units, rather than adopting a functional organization like Apple's?
According to the passage, what is one of the key reasons companies often cling to having general managers in charge of business units, rather than adopting a functional organization like Apple's?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels' in Apple's organization?
What principle does the text describe as essential for 'speedy and effective cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels' in Apple's organization?
According to the passage, what is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details and expertise?
According to the passage, what is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without the necessary details and expertise?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
Based on the information provided, what can be inferred about the potential drawbacks of Apple's functional organization structure?
According to the passage, what is a key reason why Apple's functional organization structure fosters innovation?
According to the passage, what is a key reason why Apple's functional organization structure fosters innovation?
What is a potential drawback of Apple's functional organization structure mentioned in the passage?
What is a potential drawback of Apple's functional organization structure mentioned in the passage?
According to the passage, what organizational structure did Apple transition away from under Steve Jobs' leadership?
According to the passage, what organizational structure did Apple transition away from under Steve Jobs' leadership?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What does the passage suggest is a key challenge companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
According to the passage, what was one of the key issues associated with Apple's conventional structure before Steve Jobs' return in 1997?
According to the passage, what was one of the key issues associated with Apple's conventional structure before Steve Jobs' return in 1997?
What principle does Apple prioritize that contributes to speedy cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels?
What principle does Apple prioritize that contributes to speedy cross-functional decision-making at the highest levels?
Why does the text imply that organizing experts across business units might dilute collective expertise?
Why does the text imply that organizing experts across business units might dilute collective expertise?
What is one reason why immersion in details is highlighted as a key principle at Apple?
What is one reason why immersion in details is highlighted as a key principle at Apple?
How can Apple's organization structure be described in terms of leadership within specialized areas?
How can Apple's organization structure be described in terms of leadership within specialized areas?
Why do Apple's senior leaders pay extreme attention to product design details like rounded corners?
Why do Apple's senior leaders pay extreme attention to product design details like rounded corners?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without necessary details?
What is a potential consequence of managers attending decision-making meetings without necessary details?
In what way does Apple's functional organization foster innovation according to the text?
In what way does Apple's functional organization foster innovation according to the text?
What is one key aspect of Apple's organizational structure that enables it to continue prospering and innovating?
What is one key aspect of Apple's organizational structure that enables it to continue prospering and innovating?
What challenge do companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?
What challenge do companies face when considering a transition to a functional organization like Apple's?