Case Study: An Organizational Structure for Sun City Boards

Case Study: An Organizational Structure for
Sun City Boards

Preparation
In this assignment, we’ll return to Sun City Boards and the management challenges they face.
With your advice, Tom Wilson (the owner) has continued to make strategic planning progress,
but you and Tom realize that a new organizational structure is needed for the company to grow
as you envision. Plans include expanding beyond a single store/manufacturing shop and
reaching new markets via an Internet presence and e-commerce. The following is a summary of
the current staff and loose descriptions of job functions:
 Owner/CEO—Tom Wilson (Designs the boards, sets their selling price, and establishes
sales channels with local surf shops)
 Bookkeeper—Sarah Balanced (Sarah also doubles as order-taking clerk, cash register
attendant, and customer complaint listener)
 Board Maker—Jack Ovalltrades (If Tom invents it, Jack can make it!)
 Board Making Assistants—Jill, Jane, & Judy (Assignments change almost daily as Jack
decides what needs to be done next)
 Sales Associate—Kelly Dude (Named after famed surfer Kelly Slater and a business icon
for Sun City Boards; visits surf shops and occasionally closes a sale)
 Part-time Associates—Hired as needed for inventory management (cleanup),
promotional events, etc.
Module 5 Organizational Structure and Processes Learning UnitLinks to an external
site. provides examples of organizational structures. As Tom’s advisor, your assignment now is
to select one of the organizational structures presented in the Learning Unit, describe how it
works, chart the future structure for Sun City, and explain why you prescribe it. The following
steps will help you prepare for your written assignment:
1. Thoroughly read Module 5 Organizational Structure and Processes Learning UnitLinks to
an external site..
2. Carefully consider the various organizational structures, their key structural
components, and organizational timing relevant for Sun City. Consider the internal and
external environmental factors, as well as current trends.
Your Task
1. Select one of the Organizational Structures from your reading for Sun City.

2. Create a Future State Organizational Chart for Sun City. You may use a presentation tool
of your choice. There are numerous organizational chart format inserts available in
popular software. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint have Hierarchy charts found on the
Insert tab under SmartArt. Your organization chart should contain the title of the job
function, even if no Sun City employee currently fills that role. You may also recommend
a reporting structure for the existing employees within the new structure.
3. Write at least two paragraphs describing your chosen structure and why you selected it.
Your written explanation must include three properly referenced and defined
terms from the module reading. For example, if you select a functional structure,
explain each relevant function.
In addition to the text, you are encouraged to research your organizational structure using
reliable and properly cited Internet resources. You may also draw from your personal work
experience with appropriate examples to support your references.  (1)