Horizontal Organizational Structure- It's What's on the Horizon for Modern Businesses

As I continue in my job search, it feels as though each day I am familiarizing myself with the company culture of a different business. These institutions range from major corporations, to non-profit organizations, to creative advertising agencies; yet, each of these businesses has something in common, an employee-centered workplace. In fact, if I had to identify a modern trans-organizational trend from the perspective of a prospective employee, I would identify the promotion of employee satisfaction and retention as that major trend. Truly, it seems as though the primary focus of contemporary businesses, apart from profitable ventures, is the establishment of unique work environments in which satisfied employees strive to make their life-long careers. This model of business is known as the horizontal organizational structure. Horizontally structured businesses are beneficial as they "tend to have the best employee morale because there is less red tape when dealing with problems. Also, [they cost] less to run... because managers cost more than rank-and-file employees." Horizontal companies tend to have fewer, more agented employees than their vertically-structured business counterparts, and also place more emphasis on employee satisfaction. They usually boast a more laid back work environment, and "[emphasize] an employee-centered approach with emphasis on teamwork and collaboration." Advocates of horizontal business argue that it "allows for workers to focus and invest time and energy on company goals," and that this "teamwork is an essential practice in ensuring the [company] has cohesion to move [itself] forward." For a real world example, in the office building of one of the Chicago companies at which I applied for a summer internship, there is a company bar with an on-call company folk band. Employees are encouraged to gather here after work hours, relax, unwind, and get to know their co-workers on a more intimate level. It is aspects of the modern horizontal workplace culture like this that make businesses more fun and personal. This human touch to the historically cold company structure bodes well for the social involvement of modern businesses, and certainly eases my qualms about the doldrums of the 9-5 work day!

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-horizontal-organizational-structure-30904.html

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/vertical-structure-vs-horizontal-structure-organization-4904.html