In Mintzberg's Organisational Structure, what is the Operating Core?

• A. Direct Supervision
• B. Heads of Departments
• C. Employees
• D. Does the routine activities of the organisation

Answer: (D)

The operating core is the part of the organization that actually performs the day-to-day, routine work—the people who carry out the fundamental activities needed to produce the product or deliver the service. In Mintzberg’s model, this group does the real work, while other parts of the structure handle supervision, planning, standardization, or support.

So the option that describes doing the routine activities of the organization best matches the operating core. Direct supervision is a coordinating mechanism, not the group that performs the work. Heads of departments are managers within the hierarchy. “Employees” is too broad and could refer to people not directly involved in the core activities.