An organizational structure outlines how activities are directed to achieve organizational goals. It determines rules, roles, responsibilities, and how information flows between levels. Benefits include streamlining operations, improving decision-making and performance. Limitations are stifling creativity and flexibility. Common structures are functional (grouping by department), flat (few managers), matrix (multiple supervisors), and hierarchical (clear chain of command). Traditional organizations are stable and job-focused with permanent roles, while modern organizations are dynamic, skill-focused, and use temporary project-based jobs and flatter hierarchies to increase flexibility.