A structural approach to external and internal person-team fit

This article develops a structurally based, integrated theory of person-org anisation fit. This approach to fit recognises the need for achieving both a good external fit between the organisation's structure and its environmen t, as well as a good internal fit between the organisation's structure and its own members. The three most critical aspects of organisational structur e within this theory are departmentation, centralisation, and adaptability as these are manifested at the team level. Structural contingency theory is used to derive predictions regarding how these types of structural charact eristics interact with the nature of the environment (in terms of predictab ility and stability) to determine external fit (because of their influence on efficiency, flexibility, and responsiveness). The five factor model of p ersonality is used to derive predictions regarding how these same types of structures interact with individual differences to determine internal fit ( because of their influence on role requirements such as scope, interdepende nce, and innovation). Both types of fit are critical to organisational perf ormance, because in many instances, the presence of a poor fit on one dimen sion may neutralise the otherwise positive effects of a good fit on the oth er dimension.