I currently work as a manufacturing engineering co-op for a medical device company which is most like a functional organization. Each department has their own managers (Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, R&D) and they usually conduct work independently on projects concerning the responsibilities of their department. This can sometimes result in miscommunications and delays in completion of tasks since most activities in a company are interrelated anyway and require input from other departments. As a co-op though, my role is different as I am considered “technical support for the engineering staff”. This means basically anyone from the main departments can come and ask me to complete a task for them. In this respect, my position is closer to a matrix structure. This is nice because I become more versatile and foster relationships with people from other departments, but sometimes I am faced with deadlines from my main boss and this manager from quality or R&D at the same time and it puts me in a bind.
I think I prefer this matrix structure though, as things go a lot more smoothly when you have open communication in the organization which leads to the creation of positive relationships and people learn to trust each other. Things go a lot quicker when you can talk an issue out with someone as opposed to an sending some email to someone you have never talked to before. They will be more likely to help if they know and respect you.