According to Mintzberg's organizational structures, hospitals and universities are examples of a: a. simple structure. b. professional bureaucracy. c. divisionalized form. d. machine bureaucracy.

b. professional bureaucracy

Explanation:

Bureaucracy refers to a kind of organizational structure which is governed by a clearly defined authority and rigid rules and regulations alongside long chain of hierarchy and reporting, which makes decision making a time consuming affair.

As per Mintzberg, professional bureaucracy is characterized by standardization of skills coupled with vertical and horizontal decentralization of responsibilities.

Such form of organizational structure allows for greater degree of autonomy and control to the professionals w.r.t their work. Such a bureaucracy recognizes the authority of professional expertise instead of the authority of hierarchy.

Such form of organizational structure is usually followed by schools, hospitals and universities wherein, the professional expertise of doctors and teachers define the authority instead of a pre existing chain of hierarchy that dictates what one is permitted to do.