Which organizational structure tends to make decisions more slowly due to a reliance on consensus?

The organizational structure that typically results in slower decision-making due to a reliance on consensus is the committee structure. In a committee, multiple stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process. This collaborative approach aims to gather diverse perspectives and ensure that all relevant voices are heard before reaching a conclusion. While this can lead to well-informed and broadly supported decisions, it often requires more time to reach agreement among all members. The need for consensus can create delays, as discussions may be prolonged and disagreements must be resolved before decisions can be finalized.

In contrast, other structures like hierarchical or flat organizations tend to streamline decision-making processes because authority may rest with a single leader or a small group of leaders, enabling quicker resolutions. Matrix structures can complicate decision-making as well, but they primarily deal with the integration of multiple reporting lines rather than a focus on consensus as a decision-making strategy. Therefore, the committee structure is particularly notable for its slower decision-making pace due to its consensus-oriented nature.