Organisational Structure Exercises

Question 1 What are the major functions and levels in an organisation? How do the information systems used in an organisation relate to those functions and levels? (6)

Answer Major functions of an organisation are Production, Sales and Marketing, Personnel, Finance and Accounting. Major levels are Production workers (or front-line sales people dealing with customers), who need data processing systems to record the transactions or events taking place. Clerical and professional staff who need 'knowledge work systems' such as spreadsheets, accountancy packages, CAD systems, expert systems etc to process and create information and knowledge. Managers who need management information systems to help them control, plan and make decisions.

Question 2 An organisation generally consists of different levels, employing production workers, knowledge workers and management. Give an example of each of these types of worker in a named organisation. (4)

Answer Production worker: e.g. in a car manufacturer, the people who make the cars Knowledge workers - the people who design the cars Management - the people who decide what types of cars are needed, and when and where to open or close factories.