Online activity 1.1

Organisation Design

Overview
This activity looks at how Apple was organised, when its iconic founder and CEO Steve Jobs was in charge

Activity Description
Watch the Steve Jobs two minute video in which he talks about how Apple was organised.
Consider the following:

  1.  Describe Apple’s hierarchy (many levels or flat), centralisation (centralised or decentralised) and formalisation (formal or informal).
  2. What (if any) organisational form (functional, divisional, etc.) best describes Apple’s organisation?
  3. Is Apple’s organisation structure typical of all businesses?
  4. If not typical of all businesses, is it typical of IT and software companies?

One view of organisational design is that they are logical and carefully planned.  Another view is that they develop organically and are somewhat “messy”.

  1. Do you think Apple’s organisation has been planned or has it developed organically?
  2. To what extent does this result from Steve Jobs personality and leadership style?

Website
Steve Jobs talks about managing people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f60dheI4ARg

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