Which organizational structure features authority and responsibility held by a group rather than an individual?

• A. Committee Structure
• B. Functional Structure
• C. Matrix Structure
• D. Flat Structure

Answer: (A)

Shared governance is the idea here: authority and accountability are held by a group rather than a single person. In a committee structure, a formal committee acts as the decision-maker, with members collectively bearing responsibility for the outcomes. This setup brings in diverse expertise and creates checks and balances, which is why it’s used for governance, policy approval, or project oversight. Decisions come from the group through discussion and consensus, rather than being issued by an individual alone, which helps distribute risk and improve legitimacy.

In other structures, authority is typically tied to individuals. A functional structure places power in the heads of each function, an arrangement where decisions flow through specific leaders. A matrix structure shares authority between functional managers and project or product managers, creating dual reporting lines. A flat structure reduces layers but still relies on the distribution of decision-making across individuals or small teams rather than a formal group body.