Asymmetry in Structural Movement: Challenges on the Road to Adaptive Organizational Structures

摘要

The authors propose that all team based change is not the same. It is offered that change is generally more difficult from divisional to functional structures than it is from functional to divisional structures. We offer that successful change from divisional to functional structures is contingent upon individual differences. Additionally, we argue that successful change from functional to divisional structures is contingent upon team based behaviors. Results from 66 four-person teams, over two time periods, demonstrated that neuroticism and openness negatively impacted team performance when changing into a functional structure. When changing into a divisional structure, teams demonstrating a high level of communication performed better.