Given below are two statements:
Assertion (A): A functional structure may lead to problems in coordination between departments.
Reason (R): A functional structure promotes control and coordination within a department, because of similarity in the tasks being performed.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
Assertion (A): A functional structure may lead to problems in coordination between departments. — True. Departments are split by function, and information has to pass from one to another. So coordination between departments becomes hard.
Reason (R): A functional structure promotes control and coordination within a department, because of similarity in the tasks being performed. — True. Tasks inside one department are alike, so control and coordination within the department are easy.
Why R does not explain A?
A is about coordination between departments. R is about coordination within one department. Easy coordination inside a department does not cause poor coordination across departments, so R does not bring about A.
The correct reason for A is that information has to be exchanged across functionally differentiated departments. Each department also pursues its own interests, which can block contact with others.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Functional structure … Advantages: The functional structure has many advantages to offer. Important among them are as follows: “Functional structure … Disadvantages: The functional structure has certain disadvantages which an organisation must take into consideration before it adopts it. Some of them are as follows: |