The definition you link to is unusual in my experience of the term in that it equates functional unit with business unit. By your definition I agree. I have ge

The definition you link to is unusual in my experience of the term in that it equates functional unit with business unit. By your definition I agree. I have generally seen definitions of functional units being responsible for a function, without reference to profit or loss. Business units generally refer to a notionally divisible unit from which income, expenses, and thus profits can be measured. By this definition, Apple has only one business unit, the entire enterprise. Again, this doesn't detract from your point, it amplifies it! Apple really would never preserve a purchased business and leave it independent. It doesn't even have business units, the structure that might, if you're naive, allow for such a thing! An interesting discussion of Apple's functional structure: http://stratechery.com/2013/the-uncanny-valley-of-a-functional-organization/ http://stratechery.com/2013/the-uncanny-valley-of-a-function...