A number of findings from the study

A number of findings from the study did not confirm prior research. Firstly, Traditional MASs were not common among Functional units experiencing sequential interdependence. Contrary to expectations, Rudimentary MASs were somewhat
over-represented. However, the concept of inequality may help to explain this finding. That is, Functional units may satisfy the need for coordination and control by other mechanisms (cf. the substitution effects discussed in section The combined effect of departmental interdependence and organizational structure on MAS design). For example, Waterhouse and Tiessen (1978, p. 72) suggested that centralization and behavior formalization
(cf. the characteristics of the Functional unit) develop as an efficient means of control in routine technologies,
which implies that ‘‘planning through procedure specification will decrease the reliance placed on planning through the budgeting process’’. In the same vein, Mintzberg (1983, p. 77) argued that ‘‘direct supervision effected through
the superstructure and standardization of work processes emerge as key mechanisms to coordinate the work in functional structures. They are preferred because they are the tightest available control mechanisms’’.