Boundaries between departments or functions are fuzzy. There is a lot of cross-functional problem solving and interdepartmental communication. The organization seeks to eliminate boundaries. Cross-functional and interdepartmental meetings occur frequently. Everyone feels as if they are working in a small business.
People work in units or teams that are make a whole product or provide a complete service.
Everyone feels a strong identification with the end product or service their unit provides. Line and staff functions are fully integrated. Only a few people in the organization talk directly to customers to find out what the organization can do to better serve them. People working on one step of an operation do not regard the people working on the next step as their customers. No one fully understands the standards used by customers to judge the quality of the final product or service.