What challenge might employees face in a Functional Organisational Structure?

In a Functional Organisational Structure, employees are grouped based on their specialized skills or functions, such as marketing, finance, or production. This structure can lead to employees experiencing a feeling of limitation as they primarily focus on their specific role or department. Since they often work within a narrow scope of duties, they may have fewer opportunities to engage with or understand other functions of the business. This can result in a lack of cross-departmental skills and knowledge, potentially hindering their professional development and reducing their overall career flexibility.

Employees may desire the ability to explore roles outside their immediate function, but the structure typically emphasizes specialization. Consequently, this specialization can create a barrier that impacts their exposure to a variety of tasks and departmental responsibilities. Therefore, the challenge of feeling confined to a singular function and missing out on broader organizational experiences is a notable aspect of working within this kind of structure.