Mintzberg’s Five-sector Logo

Operating Core: people who perform the basic work; provide products or services to customers (teachers, assembly line workers, doctors and nurses).

Administrative Component (Middle line): Managers/Supervisors that control and provide resources for the operators (principals, factory foreman and other middle management).

Strategic Apex: Senior management. They shape the mission and vision of the organization (superintendents, school boards, senior directors, board members).

Technostructure: specialist and analyze. Standardize, measure, and inspect output and processes (accounting and quality control departments).

Support Staff: support/facilitate the work of others (secretaries, custodians, food service workers, and bus drivers).

Mintzberg's Fives

Professional Bureaucracy - Higher Ed is most like this structure

Operating core is large relative to other structural parts, particularly the Technostructure; few managerial levels exist; control relies heavily on professional training and indoctrination; responds slowly to external change; individuals professionals may be at the forefront of their specialty, while the institution changes at a glacial pace.

Mintzberg's Fives
Operating Core - people who perform the basic work
Administrative Component
Middle Managers - managers who supervise, control, and provide resources for the operators
Strategic Apex - senior managers who focus on outside environment, determine the mission, and shape the grand design
Technostructure - specialists and analysts who standardize, measure, and inspect outputs and processes
Support Staff - performs tasks that support or facilitate the work of others