Matrix Management: Contradictions and Insights

Does matrix management stifle or foster the development of new products? The arguments in favor of and against matrix consist primarily of anecdotal success or failure stories. The issue is further obscured by the failure to recognize that there are different types of matrix. Data on the usage and e...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:California management review 1987-07, Vol.29 (4), p.126-138
Main Authors: Larson, Erik W., Gobeli, David H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Advantages
Ambiguity
Business
Business management
Conflict management
CORPORATE STRATEGY
Development
Disadvantages
Economic systems
Functional authority
Horizontal communication
Information flow
Management
Matrix
Organizational communication
Organizational structure
Product development
Project management
Strategy
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Does matrix management stifle or foster the development of new products? The arguments in favor of and against matrix consist primarily of anecdotal success or failure stories. The issue is further obscured by the failure to recognize that there are different types of matrix. Data on the usage and effectiveness of three matrix structures (functional, balanced, and project matrixes) were collected from 500 managers experienced in product development. The results indicate that matrix is still the dominant approach for completing development projects. However, while all three types of matrix have comparable usage rates, the project matrix is considered the most effective. Companies using matrix management should consider project matrix if they are trying to improve performance.
ISSN:0008-1256
2162-8564
DOI:10.2307/41162135