Good Sport
Running head: Leadership Change Paper (Good Sport)
Leadership Change (Good Sport)
Willie Coates
University of Phoenix
Professor Nancy Messer
July 6, 2008, 2008
Good Sport
Good Sport, based in Coral Springs, Florida, manufactures fitness such as treadmills, steppers, rowers, and bikes. The company was founded by ex basketball star, Jason Poole, who currently serves as chairman of the board. Alongside CEO, Marvin Wallace, the company has experienced much progress over the years.
Organizational structure refers to the division of labor as well as the patterns of coordination, communication, work flow, and formal power that direct organizational activities. (McShane, Ch.15) An organizational structure reflects the organization’s culture and power relationships. (McShane, Ch.15)
Good Sport currently has an organizational structure that utilizes centralization and departmentalization. Centralization is the degree to which formal decision authority is held by a small group of people, typically those at the top of the organizational hierarchy. (McShane, Ch.15) As with most organizations, Good Sports began with a centralized structure. The founder makes most of the decisions and tries to direct business toward his or her vision. (McShane, Ch.15) However, the Good Sports founder, Jason Poole is more of an icon for the start-up company. Jason’s popularity and astute business sense ensures that the organization stays current with the latest trends. Jason endorses the company products through his popularity and business sense.
Departmentalization establishes the “chain of command”, that is, the system of common supervision among positions and units within the organization. (McShane, Ch. 15) At the top of the organization is the CEO, next on the hierarchy chain are the Department V.P.’s, followed by the senior managers then Team managers. Departmentalization usually creates common...
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