Examine Tesco’s Organizational Structure Case Study
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of the case, students should be able to:
- Understand and explain the main features of Tesco's organizational structure
- Understand how Tesco's organizational structure affects its performance, efficiency, innovation, flexibility, and responsiveness to the external environment.
- Apply relevant theories and concepts of organizational structure to real-life organizations.
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Tesco PLC is a global leader in the grocery and general merchandise industry. It was established in 1919 by Jack Cohen. The company has grown steadily over the years, expanding its product range, market share, and international presence. Today, Tesco PLC operates 4,859 globally and it generates the highest revenue among its competitors in the industry.
The company has established itself as a dominant force in the UK grocery sector, thanks to its effective organizational structure and culture. It has a clear vision, mission, and values that guide its strategic decisions and operations. It also fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and customer focus, which enables it to adapt to changing market conditions and customer needs. The company's organizational structure and culture are key drivers of its competitive advantage and growth. As of 2023, the company has generated a revenue of 60 billion pounds. The company employs 337,000 people worldwide.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF TESCO
According to Minterzberg (1972), organizational structure is the way that jobs, systems, processes, people, and groups are arranged and coordinated to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization. Organizational structure is a set of methods that assign tasks to specific roles and establish the relationships among them. An organization's structure determines how its members divide and coordinate their work, and how they align their efforts to achieve the organization's goals and objectives. The structure of an organization is very important because it affects the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations, communication, decision-making, and innovation. Mullins, (2016).
Tesco's organizational structure is characterized by three features: hierarchy, product differentiation, and decentralization. These features enable Tesco to achieve high levels of efficiency, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Nwagbara (2010) claims that Tesco's structure is a key factor for its success in the competitive retail market.