In the last ten years WH Smith has struggled to clarify its strategic position in the retail industry.

There is serious competition for all its products. As a consequence its performance has both improved and deteriorated. There have been changes of leadership and rumours of a possible takeover. The table below provides a summary of the organization structure in 1995, 1999 and 2003. Research the company’s progress over this period. Has the structure merely changed to reflect changes of strategy?

Or might the structural changes have been a serious attempt to drive the business both competitively and in fresh directions?