Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

According to Mintzberg, what is the central purpose of structure in an organization?

1. Produce a high-quality product

2. Develop strategy based on the organization's mission

3. Provide content for organization charts

4. Coordinate the work of the organization

The correct answer is: Coordinate the work of the organization

The central purpose of structure in an organization, as articulated by Mintzberg, is to coordinate the work of the organization. This coordination is essential for ensuring that different parts of the organization work together effectively to achieve common goals. Structure provides a framework that delineates roles, responsibilities, and communication pathways, enabling team members to understand how their work intersects with that of others. Coordination minimizes confusion, overlaps, and resource wastage, ensuring that projects and tasks are executed efficiently. It facilitates collaboration and helps to align individual contributions with the organization's objectives. By establishing clear hierarchies and workflows, organizational structure promotes synergy, reduces redundancy, and ultimately enhances the organization’s performance. The other choices focus on different aspects that, while important, do not capture the primary role of organizational structure. Producing a high-quality product and developing strategy are outcomes that arise from effective coordination. Providing content for organization charts is more a byproduct of establishing the structure rather than its primary purpose.