Challenges and Opportunities of Matrix Structure in Organizations

The given article discusses the matrix organization structure, its benefits, and challenges faced by organizations during implementation. The author highlights the importance of emotionally intelligent employees who can manage and align different goals in a matrix organization. The article also emphasizes that emotionally intelligent individuals have more capability to understand their roles and responsibilities effectively. Additionally, it concludes that such individuals utilize emotions to guide thinking, resulting in higher quality decisions than their counterparts in matrix organizations. Furthermore, the article discusses the limitations of using matrix structures, including misaligned goals, unclear roles, low-quality decision-making, and silo-focused employees. It also suggests ways for organizations to improve performance by focusing on learning rather than avoiding, efficient management rather than exploiting employees.

Running Head: Organizational Behavior
Organizational Behavior

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Problem Identification.....................................................................................................................2
Hypothesis Identification.................................................................................................................2
Study needs......................................................................................................................................3
Methodology used in the given study..............................................................................................4
Literature Review Summary............................................................................................................4
Assumptions of Study......................................................................................................................5
Limitations.......................................................................................................................................5
Potential for Future Research..........................................................................................................6
Conclusion of Research Finding......................................................................................................6
Criticism of the Given Article.........................................................................................................7
Case Study Summary.......................................................................................................................8
References......................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
The given article is about the emotional intelligence; A key ability to succeed in the matrix
organization. This article shows enough learning things which can learn by a large number of
organizations and can improve their current functioning. In this paper, we will study about the
given article in brief. This paper mainly gives us an analysis with which we can understand the
overall scenario of the case and its findings. Understanding the given article will prove very
beneficial for us and we can improve our operations and functions in effective manner.
Problem Identification
Rome is known for its better organizational structure which is designed by using superior
strategy, equipment, and training. On 2 August 216 BC, Rome faced a biggest problem. This
problem is its greatest defeat at the Battle of Cannae to the Carthaginian Generally Hannibal.
Hannibal won the battle despite of its well trained employees and smaller work force. This defeat
destroys the Roman and their attitudes internally which proved very dangerous for them. The
main reason behind the victory of the Hannibal’s in the Battle of Cannae is its “crescent”
structure which is far better and advanced then the organizational structure adopts by the Rome
in its life cycle.
Hypothesis Identification
While the matrix structure grabbing the attention of a large number of academics and executives
in the 1970s and early 1980s.This study setting the following hypothesis behind the selection of
efficient matrix structure.

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H 1# Is the matrix structure allows the organizations to focus more on multiple business
objectives or not?
H 2# Is the matrix structure permits easy creation and desolation of groups as demands change or
not?
H 3# Is the matrix structure facilitates the management of information or not?
H 4# Is the matrix structure frees up the gridlock by speeding information horizontally and
vertically to the appropriate recipients or not?
H 5# Is the matrix structure enables the organization to establish their economies of scale or not?
H 6# Is the matrix structure allows the organizations to respond more rapidly towards the
demands of the environment or not?
Study needs
Due to the growing demands and attention of companies towards matrix structure, it is necessary
to analyze its positive or negative outcomes. With the help of this study, the author wants to
analyze the requisite interpersonal skills and abilities to operate efficiently in these
organizational matrixes. With the help of this study, a large number of organizations can enhance
their awareness regarding the benefits and losses of chosen organizational structure and
interpersonal skills required to operate these matrix structures in effective manner (Druskat,
2013). On the other hand, this study is necessary to conduct for the benefits of a large number of
growing organizations. In the absence of this study, they don’t able to get necessary information
about the success criteria of chosen matrix structure.

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Methodology used in the given study
The author of this study mainly utilizes both the primary and secondary research methodology to
identify and conduct a deep analysis of its chosen topic. In the secondary research, the author
mainly chooses the literature review research to get the necessary information about the
emotional intelligence or suitability of matrix structure for organizations. For this purpose, it
study the literature review of a large number of published articles and combined them in his or
her own study. This has been done to find out the outcomes and conclusions of the previous
researches. On the other hand, the study also utilizes the primary research to conclude the
necessary benefits and losses of using matrix structure. This has been performed by collecting
the responses of a large number of organizations which are engaged in using the matrix
structures in their organization.
Literature Review Summary
Goleman, (2013) said that matrix form of the organizational structures are not a guarantee of
their success. It mainly comes through the perfect management and huge efforts which can
necessarily put in any chosen organizational structure. In addition, Nordin (2012) said that the
matrix structure adds a large number of additional features in the management style of
organizations. Matrix structures enable the organizations to lead and manage their employees
with necessary and efficient skills. Matrix structure do not only adds extra features but also
enables the organizations to use innovative and best strategies with which they can cope in
external or internal market in efficient manner.
Moreover, Oyewunmi (2015) said that it is quite true that the matrix structure inherently creates
a state of constant conflict with its simultaneous pursuit of multiple objectives and the multiple-

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boss model. This conflict facilitates the organizations to use the chosen matrix structure in best
possible manner. Furthermore, it is also said that a large number of organization continue to
adopt the matrix form organization structure which is little scientific in nature (Patel, 2016). Due
to this, it becomes very difficult for the organization top executives to know how they can face
the challenges associated with the matrix structure in best manner. This quite confuses them
which ultimately reduce their profitability and productivity.
Assumptions of Study
The following are the main assumptions of this study:
 Managing emotions shows the ability to regulate, or change emotions in one and in
others.
 Matrix structure will prove beneficial for the organizations and the employees will
manage their working according to the working environment.
Limitations
The study is limited to the identification of the four interpersonal challenges that impede the
performance of matrix structures. These mainly includes misaligned goals enhance competition
spirit among employees, unclear roles and responsibilities, decision-making is of low-quality and
untimely. Or silo-focused employees do not corporate.
Potential for Future Research
Due to the popularity of matrix organization structure, there is huge potential for future research
in this topic. It is because every individual wants to clarify the profitability and productivity of

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the chosen matrix structure which can highly demonstrate in such type of research activities.
Huge popularity and large efficiency becomes it top feature which encourage the research
scholars to identify the reason behind its popularity and gives it a new phase with new
innovation.
Conclusion of Research Finding
The deep analysis of the research concludes that the emotionally individuals are better able to
manage and align different goals in matrix organizations. They did this through reducing and
managing the unproductive emotions that impede high collaboration. Research represents that
organizations need to maintain constant balance between its dimensions it wants to achieve
success with the chosen matrix structure (Murphy, 2014). On the other hand, the research also
proves that the emotionally intelligent employees have more capability to understand their roles
and responsibilities in effective manner. Emotionally intelligent employees do not only perform
their roles and responsibilities but also help other in accepting the inherent tensions and
ambiguities that are intended to maintain a beneficial balance between the different dimensions
of the multiple business operations. Furthermore, the research also concludes that the
emotionally intelligent individuals utilize emotions to guide thinking that results in higher and
quicker quality decisions than their counterparts in matrix organizations. That’s why, it can be
said that the given articles gives us a significant knowledge about the different aspects of the
emotional intelligent people and the matrix organization structure.

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Criticism of the Given Article
Generally, it can be said that the given article discusses the matrix organization structure in
efficient manner. Rome situation is discussing by the article in effective manner. But, it can be
said that the given article have positive and negative impacts of organizations. It is because the
article only speaks about the benefits of using matrix structure and their advantages for the
organizations. But, it did not discuss the implementation ways of matrix structure so that
negative outcomes can avoid and desired result can gain. In the absence of implementation ways,
organizations not able to implement the matrix organization structure efficiently and they
become failure in getting the success or competing in existing market (Joshi, 2015). On the other
hand, it tells about the box structure using by the Rome for wining and get advantage over its
competitors. But it did not disclose efficiency and quality of this structure. If it discusses so it
becomes very easy for the organizations to make changes accordingly to avoid the losses and
make it better than the “crescent” structure utilize by the Hannibal. Knowledge of box features
can successfully teach the business organization about its drawbacks and positive outcomes for
business houses. In that case, they can successfully cope with the innovative strategies in
effective manner.
Overall, it can be said that the case gives an efficient knowledge about the matrix structure and
the interpersonal challenges that impede matrix performance. Knowledge of all these challenges
and benefits and losses of using matrix structure, an organization can successfully improve its
performance in its existing market.

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Case Study Summary
The given case of emotional intelligence; a key ability to succeed in the matrix organization is a
perfect description of matrix organizational structure and interpersonal challenges faced by
organizations during implementation of matrix structure. The given case highlights the
challenges that may reduce the performance of organizational matrix structure and can influence
the organizations in negative context. Apart of this, the given case also focuses on the emotional
intelligent employees and said that they can function more appropriately in matrix structure
rather than other organizational structure. On the other hand, the case also focuses more on
improving the performance of employees and managers by providing a large number of ways.
These ways suggests that the employees need to focus more on learning rather than avoiding and
the managers need to focus more on efficient management rather than exploiting employees. The
case also discusses the emergence of matrix which gives an efficient knowledge about its
traditional ways and establishment. By reading this, one can successfully strengthen its base and
can implement the matrix structure in effective manner.
All this performed by the author by using primary and secondary research methods. Primary
research enforces the author to add more by conducting in-depth research. On the other hand,
secondary research enforces the authors to criticize their viewpoint by comparing it with the
findings of other authors. The case also suggests that the managers and the employees can
improve their performance by adjusting pay levels, changing job titles, and motivation.
Furthermore, the case findings also prove that matrix structure is more beneficial than the other
functional business structures (Tabatabaei, 2015). It is because matrix structure is well-suited to
handling a large number of complex problems exist within the internal or external environment
of the organization. In addition, the case also proves that emotional intelligent people can utilize

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the matrix structure in best manner than the others. It is because their strengths permits flexible
utilize of human resources, and produce innovative solutions to gain success in their near future.
Therefore, it can be said that the case gives us an efficient knowledge which can further utilize in
managing large business operations.

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References
Druskat, V. U., Mount, G., & Sala, F. (2013). Linking emotional intelligence and performance at
work: Current research evidence with individuals and groups. Psychology Press.
Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A. (2013). Primal leadership: Unleashing the power of
emotional intelligence. Harvard Business Press.
Joshi, P., Suman, S. K., & Sharma, M. (2015). The Effect of Emotional Intelligence on Job
Satisfaction of Faculty: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach. IUP Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 14(3), 58.
Murphy, K. R. (2014). A critique of emotional intelligence: what are the problems and how can
they be fixed?. Psychology Press.
Nordin, N. (2012). Assessing emotional intelligence, leadership behaviour and organizational
commitment in a higher learning institution. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 56, 643-
651.
Oyewunmi, A. E., Oyewunmi, O. A., Ojo, I. S., & Oludayo, O. A. (2015). Leaders’ emotional
intelligence and employees’ performance: A case in Nigeria’s public healthcare
sector. International Journal of Human Resource Studies, 5(3), 23-37.
Patel, M. N. (2016). Teachers' Emotional Intelligence: A Function of Job Satisfaction and Family
Relationships. The International Journal of Indian Psychology, Volume 3, Issue 2, No. 7, 40.

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Tabatabaei, S. O., & Farazmehr, Z. (2015). The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence
and Iranian Language Institute Teachers’ Job Satisfaction. Theory and Practice in Language
Studies, 5(1), 184-195.

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