【ビジネス英語の語彙力強化：第2回】企業部門・部署名を徹底攻略！

A: Which division do you belong to?
B: I’m part of the general affairs department. We manage office supplies and company events.
A: That’s interesting. I work in the logistics department. We coordinate shipments and deliveries.
B: Logistics is so important. Our administration department often works with your team to handle paperwork.
A: Yes, we also cooperate with the compliance department to follow company rules and regulations.
B: Do you have a planning department in your company?
A: Yes, the planning department develops new business strategies. We also have a public relations (PR) department that manages our company’s image.
B: Sounds like your company is well structured. Our training and development departmentorganizes workshops for all employees.
A: That’s great! We also have an environmental management department to promote eco-friendly practices.

A: Hi, which department do you work in?
B: I’m in the research and development (R&D) department. We focus on creating new products.
A: That sounds exciting! I work in the marketing department. We handle advertising and promotions.
B: Marketing is very important. Do you often collaborate with the sales department?
A: Yes, we work closely with sales to launch new campaigns. How about your team? Do you interact with the production department?
B: Absolutely. We coordinate with production to ensure the new products are made on time.
A: That’s great. Our company also has a strong human resources (HR) department that manages recruitment and training.
B: We rely on human resources a lot. They organize training sessions for our team.
A: By the way, do you have a legal department to review contracts?
B: Yes, the legal department checks all agreements to make sure everything is compliant.
A: That’s good to hear. We also have a customer service team that handles client inquiries.
B: Customer service is key to keeping customers happy. Our quality assurance department works hard to maintain product standards.
A: Sounds like your company is well organized with many specialized departments.

Explanation: Departments and Divisions in a Company

In a company or organization, each department or division is responsible for specific tasks and plays a unique role in daily operations. Departments do not work alone—they cooperate with each other to help the company reach its goals. Effective collaboration and communication between departments are essential for smooth business operations and overall success.

For example, when launching a new product, many departments are involved:

• The research and development (R&D) department designs and creates the new product.
• The production department manufactures it.
• The quality assurance department checks that the product meets company standards.
• The marketing department plans promotions and advertising.
• The sales department introduces the product to customers and handles sales.
• The customer service department supports customers after the product is released.

Another example is employee training:

• The human resources (HR) department plans training programs for new staff.
• The training and development department organizes workshops and seminars.
• The IT department or sales department may provide hands-on training for their areas.
• The general affairs department prepares the training rooms and equipment.

When a company expands overseas, departments such as planning, legal, export/import, logistics, public relations (PR), and sales must work together to develop strategies, handle legal matters, manage shipping, promote the company, and build relationships with local partners.

Departments also cooperate when company rules need to be updated. The compliance department reviews new laws, the administration department informs employees, and the IT department updates systems if necessary.

By sharing information and resources, and by working as a team, departments help the company solve problems, adapt to change, and achieve its objectives. Knowing the names and functions of each department is useful when explaining your job or your company’s structure in English. For example, you can say, “I work in the logistics department, and we often coordinate with the sales and production departments.” This makes your role clear and shows how teamwork is important in any organization.