Chapter 1 - Orgs & Org Theory Flashcards
What is an Org? Perspectives on Orgs Dimensions of Org Design
Organizations are (4)
Social Entities - comprised of people
Goal Oriented - profit, impacting society, educational etc
Deliberately Structured - intentional
Linked to Environment - how org interfaces w/things happening, resources, and competition
Org Systems (3)
Rational System
Natural System
Open/Closed System
Rational System
Oldest theory
Group of ppl have clear agreed upon goal
Maximize efficiency
All info is clear and useful for decisions
Natural System
Borrows form biological theory
Imagines org is like an animal that needs to survive
Departments will compete for resources
Open and Closed Systems
OPEN SYSTEM
Interacts w environment to survive
Consumes and exports resources
Continuously adapts to environment
CLOSED SYSTEM
Doesn’t interact w environment
Autonomous, enclosed and sealed off from outside world
Org Configuration (5)
Technical Core: basic work, produces product/services
Management: directing/coordinating other parts
Top: Makes strategy
Technical Support: helps org adapt to enviro
supports innovation
Admin Support: does any function needed to support operation that is not direct w input-to-output
Smooth operation and upkeep of the organization
Structural Dimension
labels to describe the internal characteristics of an organization that provide a basis for measuring and comparing orgs
Contextual Dimension
characterize the whole org including size, tech, culture, environment, goals, and strategy
6 Structural Dimensions
- FORMATION: amount of written documentation
policies, procedures, JDs, regulations - SPECIALIZATION: degree to which tasks are subdivided into separate jobs
- HIERARCHY OF AUTHORITY: who reports to whom and span of control
- CENTRALIZATION: hierarchical level that has authority to make a decision
- PROFESSIONALISM: level of formal education and training of emps
- PERSONNEL RATIOS: deployment of people to various functions and departments
Contextual Dimensions
- GOALS & STRAT
- THE ENVIRONMENT: includes all elements outside of org; gov, industry, customers, suppliers, financial community
- SIZE
- CULTURE
- TECHNOLOGY: tools, techniques, technology used to transform inputs - outputs
Efficiency vs Effectiveness
EFFICIENCY: amount of resources used to achieve orgs goals “doing things right”
EFFECTIVENESS: degree to which org achieves goals “doing the right thing”
Stakeholder approach
managers balancing needs and interests of various stakeholders in setting goals and striving for effectiveness
Contingency
one thing depends on another
Chaos Theory
relationships in complex, adaptive systems are nonlinear and made of numerous interconnections and divergent choices that create unintended effects that render universe unpredictable
Learning Organization
promotes communication and collaboration = everyones engaged in identifying and problem solving. Allowing org to improve, experiment, and increase capability
horizontal workflow/processes vs traditional departmental functions
emps play a role
shared info
