BUS 6110 Module 2 Assignment- Applying Organizational Design to a Case

Ebelechukwu Chika Nwinyi

Master of Business Administration, Nexford University

BUS6110: Organizational Strategy

Dr. Michael Simms

November 2023.
 Introduction.

A company's structure, responsibilities, procedures, and technology can all be created or

changed through organizational design to better align with its long-term goals and objectives.

Improving productivity and adjusting to shifting conditions in the business require analyzing

the current organizational structure, spotting problems or inefficiencies, and implementing

changes (Dhar et al, 2005). Company development is to provide an operational structure that

supports the organization's mission and enables it to achieve its objectives. An organization's

leadership culture, employment practices, industry it operates in, and size all have an impact

on its structure.

Google

Google LLC, a division of Alphabet Inc., offers online search and advertising services.

Search, platforms and operating systems, enterprise and hardware solutions, and advertising

are among the company's business segments. Included in its list of offerings are Google

Search, Google Chrome, Google Documents, Google Calendar, Google Photos, Google Meet,

Google Drive, Google Finance, Google Play Books, Google News, Google Earth, Google Ad

Manager, Google Play, AdMob, Google Maps, AdSense, Gmail, Google Groups, and

YouTube. Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East are among the

regions in which the company operates commercially. In Mountain View, California, the US,

is Google's headquarters (Global Data, 2023).

Google’s Organizational Structure

The success of Alphabet's Google demonstrates how well its organizational structure and

culture foster excellence in innovation. The organizational structure of Google is set up to

support innovation to the fullest. (Smithson, 2023). Google is organized as a cross-functional

matrix which views flatness as a key component influencing how various corporate structure

functions (Smithson 2023).

Below is a pictorial description of Google’s Organizational Structure (Cuofano, 2021).

Listed below are the main characteristics that describes Google's structure:

1. Product-Based Definition: Organized into discrete divisions or groups that

concentrate on product areas. The goal of this system is to encourage competition and

creativity in the creation of a wide range of goods. An executive oversees each

section, including artificial intelligence and cloud operations. With the help of this

organizational feature, Google (Alphabet) can respond to consumer preferences and

market demands in fields such as information technology and consumer electronics.

With an emphasis on improving people's access to organized information, particularly

in the internet world, the structure complements the company's goal and vision.

Platforms and Ecosystems, Devices and Services, Advertising and Commerce,

Search, News, and Assistant, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and YouTube are

important product-based categories. This calculated strategy puts Google in a position

to satisfy present and future market demands while adhering to its mission and vision.
2. Function-Based Definition: Google's organizational structure is defined by

functions, which classify processes and resources based on business functions. This

includes divisions headed by executives, such as Global Marketing and Finance. At

Alphabet's corporate headquarters, these functional groups play a critical role in

making organizational-wide strategic choices. They impact business processes, such

as communication channels and strategic management to solve issues at various

organizational levels, and they have an impact on Google's (Alphabet) operations

management methodologies. Within Google's organizational structure, prominent

groupings based on functions include Global Affairs, Marketing, Business, Corporate

Development, and the Office of the CEO. The company's various business units may

effectively coordinate and make decisions thanks to this organizational feature.

(Smithson, 2023).

3. Flatness: The flattened hierarchy of Google's organizational structure minimizes

vertical lines of authority and communication. Because of its flatness, middle

management is obviated for non-essential communication between staff members,

teams, and groups and higher management. This function encourages productive

meetings and information exchange amongst various departments inside the company.

(Smithson, 2023). The creation of innovative products for business diversification is

made possible by Google's flat organizational structure, plays a major role in the

company's innovation. This flatness can also be defined as a team-based management

style in which staff members actively participate in decision-making because they feel

that their opinions have a direct impact on the company's success. The organization

prioritizes intellect over seniority, allowing staff members and higher management to

communicate openly. This strategy promotes creative information sharing among

employees (Cuofano, 2021).

 Recommendations for Organizational redesign using the Star Model

The Star Model consists of five areas that need to be linked and coordinated to effectively

affect the actions and behaviors of the organization with respect to an organizational redesign

due to a new technology advancement. The business model is positioned at the Centre of the

star to serve as the "Centre of gravity" that unites the five sectors (Janse, 2019).

These five segments consist of. Strategy, Structure, Process, Rewards and People.

1. Strategy

Current Situation: Platforms, Devices, Ads, Search, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, and

YouTube are just a few of the items that Google strategically focuses on (Cuofano,

2021).

Recommendation: Establish a specialized task force tasked with investigating and

integrating the new technology throughout pertinent product lines to harmonize the

organizational plan with the new technology.

2. Structure

Current Situation: Google prioritizes innovation and competitiveness through a

product-based organizational structure (Smithson, 2023).

Recommendation: with Google already practicing a cross-functional structure where

teams work together on the integration of the new technology. These teams should

consist of personnel from various product areas. This guarantees knowledge sharing

and a comprehensive approach.

3. Processes

Current Situation: Although Google is renowned for its agile procedures (Smithson,

2023), incorporating the new technology would require specific frameworks.

 Recommendation: Apply agile approaches, such as Scrum or Kanban, that are

customized to the needs of the new technology. Encourage a culture of quick

iterations and ongoing improvement.

4. Rewards

Current Situation: Although Google has an existing rewards Programme, it must be

adjusted to ensure that new technology is successfully integrated.

Recommendation Implement performance indicators linked to the new technology's

efficient application. Acknowledge and thank the teams that make a major contribution to

its effective execution.

5. People

Current Situation: Google promotes direct communication with high management and

appreciates intelligence.

Recommendation: Give training programs top priority in order to improve staff members'

proficiency with the newest technologies. Establish channels of direct connection with

staff members at all levels to get their perspectives.

Summarily, Google needs to organize a thorough training Programme that highlights the

significance of the new technology and how it fits with Google's strategic objectives for

staff members in all product groups. This is to guarantee a cooperative and integrated

approach to integrating the new technology into Google different product lines, while also

forming a specialized task force with personnel from diverse product groups.
 References

Cuofano, G. (2021, March 29). Google Organizational Structure In A Nutshell. FourWeekMBA.

https://fourweekmba.com/google-organizational-structure/

GlobalData. (2023). Google LLC Company Profile - Google LLC Overview. Www.linkedin.com.

https://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/google-llc/

Janse, B. (2019, September 2). Jay Galbraith’s Star Model, a powerful strategy tool | toolshero.

Toolshero. https://www.toolshero.com/management/jay-galbraiths-star-model/

Smithson, N. (2022, July 7). Google’s Organizational Structure & Organizational Culture (An

Analysis). Panmore Institute. https://panmore.com/google-organizational-structure-

organizational-culture

Smithson, N. (2023, October 6). Google’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics (An

Analysis). Panmore Institute. https://panmore.com/google-organizational-structure-

characteristics-analysis