Comparison of Google to Yahoo Flat organizational structure Company works as a group with cross-functionality Matrix organizational structure with three groups Consumer Regions technology Google has a flat organizational structure where the company works as a large group that is able to utilize needed employees for projects rather than having a set hierarchy structure that puts employees into particular teams. In comparison, Yahoo has recently improved on the matrix organizational structure that they have been using to implement accountability into the matrix mix as that had been lacking in the previous organizational structure. “Effective May 1, Yahoo! will operate in three groups — consumer, regions and technology — all supported by our corporate teams. Each of these three groups will have clear accountability for getting results by delivering the best customer experiences” (Lengkeek, 2012, para. 7).

Contrast Google to Yahoo Flat organization structure Lack of hierarchy Collaborative environment Matrix organizational structure Hierarchy within three groups Collaboration between the three groups and the corporate teams, such as human resources Google’s flat organizational structure allows for a lack of hierarchies and a collaborative environment where employees are able to work together on a variety of projects. In contrast, Yahoo has a matrix organizational structure that contains a hierarch within the three groups that have been established. This current structure does allow for collaboration between the groups and the corporate teams within the company.

Comparison of Google to Microsoft Bing Flat organizational structure Company works as a group with cross-functionality Divisional organizational structure Company works with self-contained units Platform products and services (such as Bing) Business Entertainment and devices Google has a flat organizational structure while Microsoft Bing has a divisional organizational structure. According to Daft (2007), “Each unit is headed by a president who is accountable for the performance of the division, and each contains the functions of a stand-alone company, doing its own product development, sales, marketing, and finance” (p. 317). Each of the self-contained units has a hierarchy along with units that supplement the group, such as marketing and other corporate functions.

Contrast Google to Microsoft Bing Flat organization structure Lack of hierarchy Collaborative environment Divisional organizational structure Structured hierarchy among self-contained units Non-collaborative environment between self-contained units Google works as a flat organizational structure that has a lack of hierarchies and a collaborative environment where employees are able to be used for whatever project is necessary for their expertise no matter which part of the company the project is under. This structure allows Google a lot of leeway in how they utilize the human assets within their employment. Microsoft Bing, on the other hand, is under a divisional organizational structure that does not allow for the same free flow of employees between projects as the company has a non-collaborative environment between the three different divisions of the company. Each division is entirely separate from the others, so must be able to employ a certain group of individuals that have the necessary skills even if they are an employee that would be skilled to work among the different divisions.

References Daft, R. L. (2007). Management (8th ed.). Mason, OH, USA: Thomson Southwestern. Lengkeek, D. (2012). Yahoo! Shareholder Letter Outlines Forward Momentum and Urges Election of Its Board Nominees. Yahoo! Pressroom Home. Retrieved February 3, 2013, from http://pressroom.yahoo.net/pr/ycorp/233028.aspx Reference Slide