Organizational charts (or hierarchy charts) are the graphical representation of an organization’s structure. Its purpose is to illustrate the reporting relationships and chains of command within the organization.

What are the two major organizational models? Two traditional forms of organization are (1) line organizations and (2) line-and-staff organizations. A line organization has clearly defined responsibility and authority, is easy to understand, and provides each worker with only one supervisor.

Types of organizational charts There are three main types of org charts: hierarchical, matrix and flat. Hierarchical Org Chart: This is the most common type, and it gives rise to the synonym Hierarchy Chart.

Two main types of vertical structure exist, functional and divisional. The functional structure divides work and employees by specialization. It is a hierarchical, usually vertically integrated, structure. It emphasizes standardization in organization and processes for specialized employees in relatively narrow jobs.

Org charts help to demonstrate clear reporting structures for all the employees in the organization. It creates a road-map for how the work is to be done and the process required to ensure this information is shared throughout the company, to the right individuals.

A hierarchical organization is an organizational structure where every entity in the organization, except one, is subordinate to a single other entity. In an organization, the hierarchy usually consists of a singular/group of power at the top with subsequent levels of power beneath them.

Hierarchy describes a system that organizes or ranks things, often according to power or importance. Also known as a pecking order or power structure, a hierarchy is a formalized or simply implied understanding of who’s on top or what’s most important.

In a hierarchy, the closer one is to the top, the more power one is perceived to have. Power usually means the ability to give orders, and in a hierarchy power is directed downward through the organization. Hierarchies are traditional organizations and the structure is used by many companies throughout the world.

In investigating organizational hierarchy, the concepts of formal and informal hierarchy will be applied to five different types of organization: (1) Bureaucratic or orthodox organizations, (2) pro- fessional organizations, (3) representative democratic organizations, (4) Hybrid or postmodern organizations and (5) …

To begin, hierarchy refers to the ranking of members in social groups based on the power, influence, or dominance they exhibit, whereby some members are superior or subordinate to others (Fiske, 2010; Magee & Galinsky, 2008; Mazur, 1985; Zitek & Tiedens, 2012).