1. Describe the organizational structure of DSS Consulting in the late 1990s. What method of departmentation did they use, and why did they use it?

2. Discuss the changes that began to affect DSS in 2005. Use the material in the chapter on the components of the external environment, interest groups, environmental uncertainty, and resource dependence to explain how the environment was affecting DSS.

3. How did DSS Consulting respond to the changes in the environment? Use Exhibit 14.4 to explain their response. Do you think this was an appropriate response to the changes in the environment?

4. Discuss the new organizational structure in terms of the division and coordination of labour and departmentation. What are the pros and cons of the new organizational structure? What effect did the new organizational structure have on the Southwest Region Team and its ability to successfully complete its project?

5. What effect do you think the new organizational structure had on the decision to cancel the Southwest Region’s project? Explain your answer.

6. Do you think the outcome of the Southwest Region’s project would have been more positive if a different organizational structure had been adopted? Is there anything else that might have prevented the cancellation of the project? Consider the potential effects of the different methods of coordinating divided labour. What might have saved the project?