What is a characteristic of a product-based structure?

A product-based structure organizes a business around specific products or product lines. This structure allows all functions related to a particular product—such as research and development, production, marketing, and sales—to be grouped together under a single umbrella. This arrangement facilitates greater coordination and focus on the product itself, making it easier to manage and respond to market demands.

By grouping all jobs and responsibilities needed to produce and sell a specific product, this structure promotes efficiency and accountability within teams. It helps streamline communication and decision-making processes, as members of various departments work closely together toward common goals related to the product.

In contrast, departments organized by location focus on geographical distribution, which may not lead to product-focused collaboration. Organizational units based on customer demographics would prioritize customer segments over specific products, and multiple reporting lines introduce complexity that can hamper clear accountability. Therefore, the defining characteristic of a product-based structure is indeed the grouping of all necessary jobs and functions related to a specific product.