A divisional organizational structure is a type of business structure that divides a company into smaller units or divisions, each of which is responsible for a specific product or service. This type of structure is common in large, complex organizations that operate in multiple markets or offer a diverse range of products and services. In this essay, we will explore several examples of divisional organizational structures and how they function in different types of companies.
One example of a divisional organizational structure is the product division structure, in which the company is divided into units based on the types of products or services it offers. For example, a consumer goods company might have separate divisions for personal care products, household products, and food and beverage products. Each division would be responsible for the development, production, and marketing of its respective product line.
Another example of a divisional organizational structure is the geographic division structure, in which the company is divided into units based on geographic regions. This type of structure is common in companies that operate in multiple countries or regions and need to tailor their products or services to meet the specific needs and preferences of local customers. For example, a global technology company might have separate divisions for the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, each with its own sales, marketing, and support teams.
A third example of a divisional organizational structure is the customer division structure, in which the company is divided into units based on the types of customers it serves. This type of structure is common in companies that serve multiple customer segments, such as businesses, governments, and individual consumers. For example, a software company might have separate divisions for enterprise customers, government customers, and small and medium-sized businesses, each with its own sales, marketing, and support teams.
One advantage of a divisional organizational structure is that it allows companies to be more responsive to the needs and preferences of specific customer segments or geographic regions. It also allows companies to focus their resources on specific products or markets, which can lead to increased efficiency and competitiveness. However, a divisional organizational structure can also lead to duplication of efforts and conflicts of interest between divisions, which may require careful management to resolve.
In conclusion, divisional organizational structures are a common type of business structure that divide companies into smaller units based on products, geographic regions, or customer segments. This structure offers several benefits, including increased responsiveness to specific customer or market needs and the ability to focus resources on specific products or markets. However, it also has the potential to create conflicts of interest and duplication of efforts, which may require careful management to resolve.
Harvard style referencing, also known as the Harvard citation style, is a widely used system for crediting sources in academic writing. It involves citing sources in parentheses within the text of a paper, as well as creating a list of references at the end of the paper. In this essay, we will go over the basics of how to reference using the Harvard style, including how to format in-text citations and create a reference list.
To begin with, let's look at how to format in-text citations using the Harvard style. In-text citations are used to indicate when you are using information from a source in your paper. They should be included whenever you paraphrase, quote, or summarize information from a source.
In the Harvard style, in-text citations are usually written in parentheses and include the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number (if relevant). For example:
(Smith, 2020, p. 32)
If the source has multiple authors, you can include all of their names in the citation. For example:
(Smith, Johnson, & Williams, 2020, p. 32)
If you are citing a source with no author, you can use the title of the source instead. For example:
("The Benefits of Exercise," 2020, p. 32)
It's important to note that the in-text citation should always be placed at the end of the sentence, after the quote or paraphrase.
Now let's move on to creating a reference list at the end of your paper. The reference list should include full details for all of the sources you have cited in your paper. This includes the author's name, the title of the source, the year of publication, and the publisher (if relevant). Here is an example of how to format a reference list entry for a book in the Harvard style:
Smith, J. (2020). The Benefits of Exercise. New York: Random House.
For a journal article, the reference list entry would look like this:
Johnson, S., & Williams, K. (2020). The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health. Journal of Health and Wellness, 55(2), 32-45.
It's important to note that the reference list should be organized alphabetically by the author's last name.
In conclusion, referencing using the Harvard style involves citing sources in parentheses within the text of your paper, as well as creating a reference list at the end of the paper. By following these guidelines, you can properly credit the sources you use in your academic writing and avoid plagiarism.
