Starbucks Coffee’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics - Panmore Institute (2024)

Starbucks Coffee’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics - Panmore Institute (1)
Starbucks Corporation (Starbucks Coffee Company) uses its organizational structure to facilitate business development in the global coffee industry. As the largest coffeehouse chain in the world, the company maintains its industry leadership partly through the appropriateness of its corporate structure. A company’s organizational or corporate structure influences all areas of the business, including management and leadership, communication, change strategies and management, and other variables critical to business success. Starbucks evolves to ensure that its organizational structure matches current business needs. For example, the company adjusted its corporate structure upon expanding its business through the acquisition of other firms, such as Ethos Water and Seattle’s Best Coffee. Such adjustment makes Starbucks Corporation’s organizational structure specific to the needs of the business. This structure fits within conventional typologies of organizational structures. Similar to the case of other multinational organizations, the company employs its structural characteristics to ensure that its operations are streamlined and properly managed.
Starbucks Coffee Company supports its competitive advantages through the characteristics of its corporate structure. These competitive advantages are essential in interacting with the industry environment, which involves the strong force of competition shown in the Porter’s Five Forces analysis of Starbucks Corporation. The company competes against large and small coffeehouse businesses, as well as food service firms like McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Wendy’s, and Burger King. Through the effective design and development of its organizational structure, Starbucks Corporation keeps growing despite competitive pressure from these firms in the international market.

Starbucks Corporation’s Organizational Structure Type and Characteristics

Starbucks has a matrix organizational structure, which is a hybrid mixture of different features from the basic types of organizational structure. In this case, the structural design involves intersections among various components of the business. For example, the company’s product-based divisions intersect with functional groups and geographic divisions, which in turn intersect with other parts of the organization. The following are the main features of Starbucks Coffee’s corporate structure:
  1. Functional hierarchy
  2. Geographic divisions
  3. Product-based divisions
  4. Teams
Functional Hierarchy. The functional hierarchy feature of Starbucks Coffee’s organizational structure refers to grouping based on business function. For example, the company has an HR department, a finance department and a marketing department. These departments are most pronounced at the top levels of Starbucks’s corporate structure, such as at the corporate headquarters. This characteristic is hierarchical. For example, the corporate HR department implements policies applicable to all of the company’s cafés. The functional hierarchy of the corporate structure facilitates top-down monitoring and control, with the CEO at the top. Functional groups are responsible for the organization-wide development and implementation of Starbucks Corporation’s generic competitive strategy and intensive growth strategies.
Geographic Divisions. Starbucks Coffee’s corporate structure involves geographic divisions, which are based on physical location of operations. The company has three regional divisions for the global market: (1) Americas, (2) China and Asia-Pacific, (3) Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Also, in the U.S. market, Starbucks Coffee’s organizational structure involves further geographic divisions: (a) Western, (b) Northwest, (c) Southeast, and (d) Northeast. Each geographic division has a senior executive. In this way, each local manager reports to at least two superiors: the geographic head (e.g. President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa Operations) and the functional head (e.g. Corporate HR Manager). This feature of Starbucks’s corporate structure enables closer managerial support for geographic needs. Each division head is given flexibility in adjusting strategies and policies to suit specific market conditions.
Product-based Divisions. Starbucks has product-based divisions in its organizational structure. These divisions address product lines. For example, the company has a division for coffee and related products, another division for baked goods, and another division for merchandise like mugs. This feature of the corporate structure enables Starbucks to focus on product development. In this way, the company develops and innovates its products with support through its organizational structure. Such development provides competitiveness that the business needs, especially in considering the threats identified in the SWOT analysis of Starbucks Corporation.
Teams. Teams are used in different parts of Starbucks Coffee’s organizational structure. However, teams are most visible at the lowest organizational levels, particularly at the coffeehouses. For example, in each café, the company has teams organized to deliver goods and service to customers. This feature of Starbucks’s corporate structure enables the business to provide effective and efficient service to consumers. Team effectiveness is a major determinant of the financial performance of franchised locations and company-owned coffeehouses. Starbucks’s corporate culture influences how such team effectiveness is achieved. The company’s development depends on team-based factors and associated human resource management strategies.
Starbucks Corporation’s organizational structure has many characteristics. However, the ones enumerated above are the most significant in shaping strategic management decisions in the business. Also, different levels of the organization are responsible for maintaining the integrity of the corporate structure. The structural characteristics identified are the ones that matter most at the corporate level, involving Starbucks’s headquarters and executive direction.

Starbucks Coffee’s Corporate Structure Development

Starbucks Corporation reforms its organizational structure over time. By 2007, the company was expanding rapidly, such that it shifted focus away from customers and toward strategic global expansion. However, the business experienced significant decline in sales in that year. This decline was worsened because of the lack of focus on customer experience. When Howard Schultz resumed the CEO position in 2008, he changed Starbucks Coffee’s corporate structure to bring focus back onto customer experience. New regional divisions were created and teams at the company’s cafés were given better training.
The current corporate structure of Starbucks is a result of reform to improve customer experience and business financial performance. The company recognizes the importance of strategic alignment involving various facets of the business. In this case, for example, aligning the corporate structure with trends in the coffee and coffeehouse industries stabilizes Starbucks’s market presence and market share. It is expected that the company’s future organizational structure will involve additional product-based divisions to account for further diversification. Its development history suggests that the company will continue acquiring more firms in the future to support its growth strategies.
References
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  • Liao, C., Chuang, S. H., & To, P. L. (2011). How knowledge management mediates the relationship between environment and organizational structure. Journal of Business Research,64(7), 728-736.
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Starbucks Coffee’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics - Panmore Institute (2024)

FAQs

What is the Organisational structure of Starbucks? ›

Starbucks Coffee's organizational structure is a matrix type. It is a hybrid one that comprises diverse aspects of the cardinal types of management structure (Meyer, 2019).

Why does Starbucks have a matrix structure? ›

Advantages of Starbucks Organizational Structure

The matrix structure followed by Starbucks has advantages of all other organizational structures that come under it. First, the geographic divisions make it possible for the firm to meet the specialized needs of different customers in different countries.

What are the distinguishing characteristics of the Starbucks experience? ›

Starbucks competes in the coffee segment of the quick service restaurant industry. This industry and segment are characterized by high volume, low-margin business models. Key success factors include location saturation, strong brand awareness and loyalty, and efficient management.

What is the organization structure? ›

An organizational structure is a system that outlines how certain activities are directed in order to achieve the goals of an organization. These activities can include rules, roles, and responsibilities. The organizational structure also determines how information flows between levels within the company.

Does Starbucks have a tall or flat Organisational structure? ›

Starbucks strength in terms of its Flat decentralized organizational structure makes Starbucks a leading food chain network in Canada. Starbucks Structure provides them the positive work environment for the subordinates to serve the customer better.

What are the characteristics of coffee? ›

Coffee Characteristics
  • BODY - Thickness or heaviness as it feels on the palate during consumption.
  • ACIDITY - Pleasant tanginess when the coffee first hits the palate.
  • FLAVOR - Ranges from mild to rich and is the most subjective of coffee characteristics.
  • AROMA - Powerful evocative smell that enhances a great cup of coffee.

What is Starbucks management style? ›

The company is currently using a Laissez Faire leadership approach. Howard Schultz should embrace an inspirational leadership approach in every retail store. This leadership strategy will ensure the company motivates its employees (Jianfei, 2014).

What is Starbucks purpose? ›

The company mission statement (CMS) of Starbucks, the world's largest operator of coffee houses, is about more than just coffee. According to its website, the company's mission is: "To inspire and nurture the human spirit—one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time."

What is the mission and vision of Starbucks? ›

Starbucks highlights its mission as “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time.” And its vision is to “treat people like family, and they will be loyal and give their all.”

What is the functional structure? ›

A functional structure is a type of business structure that organizes a company into different departments based on areas of expertise. These departments serve as functional units and are overseen by functional managers or department heads.

What are Starbucks departments? ›

We're hiring for
  • Accounting. We're the number crunchers. ...
  • Administrative Support. We keep things organized and running smoothly. ...
  • Finance. Finance plays a key role when it comes to keeping Starbucks financially strong. ...
  • Human Resources. ...
  • Legal. ...
  • Marketing and Creative Studio. ...
  • Operations. ...
  • Public Affairs and Communications.

What are the features and benefits of Starbucks? ›

Benefits and Perks
  • Health Coverage. ...
  • Stock and Savings. ...
  • Paid Time Off. ...
  • Parental Leave. ...
  • Education. ...
  • Commuter Benefit. ...
  • Partner Assistance.

What is Starbucks culture and values? ›

Starbucks Values

Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. Acting with courage, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other. Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect.

What is Starbucks best known for? ›

Starbucks Redefined How We Drink Coffee

It's one of the most successful companies in the world, not only in the coffee shop business. It is so successful because it was able to provide an experience that changed how much of the world thought about coffee shops and how many of us drink coffee outside of our homes.

What are the 4 types of organizational structures examples? ›

Traditional organizational structures come in four general types – functional, divisional, matrix and flat – but with the rise of the digital marketplace, decentralized, team-based org structures are disrupting old business models.

What is the best organizational structure? ›

A traditional line organizational structure is truly the place to start for most companies, especially the smaller ones that don't necessarily comprise a vast number of departments or require a major number of links in the chain of command/communication.

How important is organizational structure? ›

Structure will give employees more clarity, help manage expectations, enable better decision-making and provide consistency. Organizational charts also assign responsibility, organize workflow and make sure important tasks are completed on time.

What is Starbucks span of control? ›

Within the Starbucks organization there exists a narrow span of control. That is, there is a tall organizational structure and a small number of employees per supervisor. A manager at Starbucks may be asked to oversee five to seven partners per shift.

Who owns Starbucks company? ›

Howard Schultz
EducationNorthern Michigan University (BA)
OccupationBusinessman author
Years active1986–present
Known forLeadership of Starbucks and co-ownership of Seattle SuperSonics
12 more rows

What industry is Starbucks? ›

Starbucks primarily operates and competes in the retail coffee and snacks store industry. This industry experienced a major slowdown in 2009 due to the economic crisis and changing consumer tastes, with the industry revenue in the US declining 6.6% to $25.9 billion.

What is the characteristics of coffee shop? ›

8 Qualities That Make a Good Coffee Shop
  • Great Coffee. This sounds rather obvious, but what some coffee shops have to offer can leave a bitter taste in your mouth. ...
  • Appropriate Equipment. ...
  • Traffic. ...
  • Atmosphere. ...
  • Amiable and Knowledgeable Baristas. ...
  • Convenience. ...
  • Food. ...
  • Time Is Money.
Jan 29, 2020

What are the characteristics on which coffee is judged? ›

Four of the major categories to notice when evaluating the taste of coffee are Aroma, Acidity, Body, and Flavor. Aroma is the first impression, the fragrance of the brewed coffee. Terms used to describe the coffee's aroma include floral, spicy, delicate, intense, nutty, and smoky.

What are the main characteristics of coffee crop? ›

Coffee plant requires hot and humid climate with temperature varying between 15°C and 28 °C and rainfall from 150 to 250 cm. It does not tolerate frost, snowfall, high temperature above 30°C and strong sun shine and is generally grown under shady trees. Prolonged drought is also injurious to coffee.

Who is the leadership of Starbucks? ›

Howard Schultz is the Chief Executive Officer and President of Starbucks. He controls the biggest chain coffee shop of the world. The annually sales of the company is more than $16 billion and net worth is at least $3 billion.

How Starbucks control their company? ›

In order to ensure quality, Starbucks try to hold the four principles: Refused to franchisee; refused to sell the processed coffee beans; refused to enter the supermarket; do the most perfect baking as the goal forever. First, Starbucks doesn't use franchising.

What was Schultz leadership style? ›

Howard Schultz is a transformational leader who kicked off the U.S.'s second coffee revolution. His employee-focused leadership style left a template for other business owners to follow as they grow their own enterprises, and Schultz grew a global brand in the process.

What is Starbucks social responsibility? ›

The Starbucks Foundation is committed to strengthening humanity by uplifting communities. to nonprofit organizations in our hometown of Seattle, and in neighborhoods and coffee- and tea-growing communities around the world. More than $10 million in Foundation grants supported local and global COVID-19 initiatives.

What are the values for Starbucks? ›

Starbucks lives by four values that have differentiated the company from the competition and guaranteed its success.
  • Creating a culture of inclusion. Starbucks values inclusion, diversity, and equity. ...
  • Acting with courage. ...
  • Being present. ...
  • Delivering our very best.

Why is it called Starbucks? ›

But when the brand consultant, who also designed the chain's logo, produced an old 1800s map, the name of a mining town, Starbos, which features in the book, stood out which led the brand consultant to think of the first mate on the Pequod — Starbuck.

What is the vision of coffee shop? ›

A vision statement helps you to articulate what you want your coffee shop business to achieve in the long run. It describes what success would look like for your business- the big picture. It clarifies the overall purpose of your coffee shop business.

What is an organizational structure PDF? ›

Organizational structure is a way or method by which organizational activities are divided, organized and coordinated. The organizations created the structures to coordinate the activities of work factors and control the member performance. Organizational structure is shown in organizational chart.

What are the characteristics of functional organization? ›

Following are the features of functional organisation:

(i) The whole task of the organisation is divided into different functions. (ii) Each function is performed by a specialist. (iii) The functional head is in charge of the activities of his function in the whole organisation.

How do you improve organizational structure? ›

How to Improve Your Organizational Structure
  1. Address your business needs and issues. ...
  2. Make sure that your hierarchy fits with your company's purpose, objectives, and goals.
  3. Build on what is already working.
  4. Leverage the strength of your top talent.
  5. Build ownership and accountability at all levels of the organization.
Oct 28, 2020

What are Starbucks products? ›

Handcrafted Beverages: Fresh-brewed coffee, hot and iced espresso beverages, Frappuccino® coffee and non-coffee blended beverages, Starbucks Refreshers, smoothies and Tazo® teas. Merchandise: Coffee- and tea-brewing equipment, Verismo System by Starbucks, mugs and accessories, packaged goods, music, books and gifts.

What is the problem of Starbucks? ›

Starbucks has added stores at an aggressive rate in recent years. Since 2013, according to Technomic data, the chain has grown unit count by nearly 22%. The company has spread itself too thin in too many markets. That has hurt traffic in the afternoons, when its customers are less loyal.

Why Starbucks employees are very happy and satisfied? ›

People come to Starbucks to socialize and interact, so our partners do much more than just make coffee,” Pace says. “They are the ones who create that environment in our stores and make this a place that people feel good about. So they feel empowered and know they are making a contribution.

Why do customers love Starbucks? ›

Howard Shultz (Starbucks Founder) spent a lot of effort not only in the beverage itself but in the entire coffee buying experience. This is why Starbucks locations around the world consistently have a good atmosphere, indirect lighting, relaxing music in the background, great aromas, and friendly 'baristas'.

Is Starbucks a learning organization? ›

In 2016, after recognizing that Starbucks has “learners of all types,” Young says that Crow and Schultz decided to expand their education benefits to reach non-degree-seeking learners or, as they call them, “universal learners.” Thus, Starbucks Global Academy was born.

What is the marketing strategy of Starbucks? ›

Use a Multi-Channel Promotional Strategy. Starbucks predominantly uses its website, social media channels and in-store displays to promote the brand and the products. It also uses sales promotions, events, direct marketing, print media, and PR in an integrated manner to multiply the impact of its promotions.

What makes Starbucks coffee unique? ›

Starbucks never serves coffee that has been sitting for longer than 30 minutes. Your browser does not support the video element. Baristas manage four batches of coffee at one time, rotating each at least every 15 minutes and never allowing one to sit longer than 30 minutes.

Why is Starbucks a good company? ›

Starbucks does little traditional advertising; its own baristas often act as brand evangelists. Starbucks' Leadership Lab helps it prime its employees to achieve that end, and the fact that the company wishes its employees will connect with and delight customers helps make these essential stakeholders happy.

What Starbucks logo means? ›

Next up: creating a logo. While scouring some old marine books, something stood out. A mysterious, nautical figure called to them, as sirens do. “They really loved the look of it and it kind of tied into what they felt Starbucks stood for,” Steve said. “So we took inspiration from that and created the logo from there.

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