Task assignment and organizational form

Arbeitspapier

This paper shows that a firm prefers a process-based task assignment compared to a function based one if the tasks are from functional areas which are neither too complementary nor too substitutable. We consider several projects with contributions from several functional areas. The organization can be structured along processes like product lines (M-form) or along functional areas like marketing or production (U-form). The U-form enables cost savings due to specialization or scale economies. We show that the more effective incentives under the M-form might outweigh these savings if the functions are neither too complementary nor too substitutable.

Object Details

• ISBN: 3938369442
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Diskussionsbeiträge ; No. 2006/19

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Institutions: Design, Formation, Operations, and Impact ; Organization of Production
• Subject: Task Assignment ; Organizational Form ; Incomplete Contracts

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Puschke, Kerstin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Freie Universität Berlin, Fachbereich Wirtschaftswissenschaft
• (where): Berlin
• (when): 2006

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/28044
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET