MBA dissertation survey - Matrix management in complex multi dimension able project environments

22 May 2012

My name is Conor Linnell and I am currently studying for an MBA.  As part of my dissertation I need to conduct a survey.
 
The key element of the survey is to look at how multi-demensions potentially hinder the effectiveness of matrix organised buisness.  In this context a dimension/s may be the production of interacting design elements produced simultaneously in two or more remote geographical locations.  The dimensions may also take the form of differing engineering functions e.g. electrical, mechanical, systems design.  Finally in the context of full turnkey design and build projects a business or project/programme/PMO then dimensions manifest themselves as design, manufacture, build and test/verification.
 
If you could find a moment to complete the survey it would be greatly appreciated.
 

Since matrix management was first introduced in the late 1950s/early 1960s the benefits and risks have been fairly well understood and documented (Dunn 2001).  however nearly all of the academic studies carried out to date have focused predomenantly on either manufacturing or R&D organisations that utilise a number of geographic sites to achieve the delivery of numerous products.  More recently, the matrix organisation managment approach has been used to deliver infrastructure projects and is recognised as being at the other end of the matrix management sprectrum/continuum as explored by Morrison et at 2006.  From an initial literature review there appears to be a gap in research and academi publication to date.  Primarily publications have explored the challenges of matrix organised businesses that have typically 2 dimension and there-in the focus has been on the behavioural context.

Beloe are a list of the key aims and objectives of my disseration piece of which the survey is a key input tool to gather relevant data in order to draw conclusions from.

Aims and Objectives

  • Identify the extent to which matrix organisations are hindered when applied in multi dimension organisations (more than 2) (multifunctional/multi-disciplined)
  • Determine whether or not a matrix organisational structure is the most suitable for a project/programme engineering consultancy business?
  • Understand and capture what, if any, differences there are between matrix organisations applied to a business made up of product departments and one made up of multiple engineering functions/business streams
  • With regard to the rail sector in the UK, determine whether the influence of a resource pool/generation of British Rail (i.e. Nationalized Resource) limits the effectiveness and efficiency of a matrix organisation
  • Identify how and to what extent can a matrix management style be shaped to guarantee both consistency and therefore efficiency whilst retaining operationally flexible to extract the best of individuals’ characteristics?
  • Ascertain if possible whether the greater determinant for business success is through effective application of matrix management or is the greater determinant for success that of the behavioural characteristics of a business and its resource?

To complete the survey visit  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CL-Survey_V1

 

 

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