Peachtree Analytics is an Atlanta-based pharmaceutical firm of 3,500 employees that researches and develops new medications and medical devices. Subject to patent approval, this corporation manufactures and distributes its products to hospitals and pharmacies. Peachtree also provides customer support for its clients.

Appropriate organizational structure:

Why?

How would you structure HR to best serve this organization?

Adirondack Apparel is a startup, sports clothing, online retailer focusing on hiking, camping and white-water rafting gear. The company has 72 employees engaged in sales, customer service and operations. Online sales take place within the United States. The manufacture of clothing is outsourced to companies domestically and internationally. The founders, Taylor Patakis and Remy Nolan, manage the company.

Appropriate organizational structure:

Why?

How would you structure HR to best serve this organization?

Skyview Hotels is a growing San Francisco-based hotel chain that started 15 years ago by offering moderately-priced accommodations to California tourists. Its hotels were mid-sized and tended to be in suburban and rural areas. The companys success has sparked more growth, and it has been opening 150 to 280 new hotels a year in cities, suburbs and rural areas throughout 12 states in the southwestern United States. The number of properties has grown over the last ten years from 620 to 3,100, and the company seems to have outgrown its functional structure.

Appropriate organizational structure:

Why?

How would you structure HR to best serve this organization?

Farmers State Insurance is a Chicago-based, major underwriter and seller of residential and commercial property insurance policies throughout the United States. Its employees and authorized agents number in excess of 70,000 in over 50 corporate locations. Employees work in sales and marketing, claims processing, customer service and a variety of head office support functions, such as accounting, operations and IT.

Appropriate organizational structure:

Why?

How would you structure HR to best serve this organization?