Case 2 - Virus Hunters

1. How might the nature of what the virus hunters do affect the most appropriate structure for getting work done efficiently and effectively?

The situation for Symantec is one that necessitates a highly flexible and adaptive structure. Because viruses attack different parts of the system, are spread differently, and are written by different programmers, work is less structured. With the changing technology of viruses and the unexpected nature of their appearance, programmers have to operate in a decentralized and less formal work environment.

2. In fighting the onslaught of computer viruses, what will be the challenges of managing a team of professionals and a group of customer “volunteers”?

Similar to the case of Verizon and the Manager’s Dilemma, managers will have problems controlling the actions of the volunteers in that they are not as reliable as paid employees. It will be difficult to get these ‘free employees’ to follow organizational policies in that there are no financial rewards (or punishments) for not conforming. Evaluating performance is also difficult in that there is little motivation for free employees to work. It is even possible that some of these free employees are the very ones responsible for writing viruses.

3. What types of adaptive organizational designs discussed in this chapter might be most appropriate for Symantec to most effectively manage its professionals and its customer volunteers? Explain your choices.

Symnatec is probably using a project structure to work on analyzing and resolving particular viruses. In addition, it is obvious that Symnatec is utilizing a boundaryless/global structure as the case indicates that work is handed off from Japan, to Ireland, to the United States at different points in the day. To handle the work of volunteers, Symnatec would use a community of practice that allows people who are passionate about a topic to share their expertise. In addition, given the nature of work (computer software), it is possible that some employees could work from home. This could arrangement could also allow for flexibility regarding the time employees put in daily.