I.O. - Organizational Theory

Question 1

Taylor’s Scientific Management

Answer 1

To maximize proficiency and productivity managers must:

1. use scientific methods to identify best way to do a job.
2. make sure workers are scientifically selected and trained.
3. equal division of labor
4. cooperation with workers to ensure all work is done in a scientific way.

***Assume: workers are motivated by economic gain

Question 2

Weber’s: Bureaucracy

Answer 2

*impersonal and rational way to ensure an organization is operating orderly.

Elements:
A. Divison on labor
B. Well defined hierarchy
C. Formal roles
D. Employment decision based on competence
E. Written record of decision and actions
F. Separation of ownership and management

Question 3

Mayo’s: Human Relation Approach

Answer 3

*Looked at both environmental and structural factors that contribute to job productivity.

Informal work group norms = affect productivity

*Social factors more important than physical work conditions for motivation and productivity.

Question 4

Theory X & Theory Y

Answer 4

*Self-fulfilling prophecy

Theory X:
-manager believes employees are inherently lazy and dislike responsibility, resist change, care about only themselves.
-manager must be directive and controlling to ensure workers are productive.

Theory Y:
-manager believe employees enjoy work, are self-directed and internally motivated (work is like play), and seek responsibility.
-managers role is to provide employees with an environment that allows them to fulfill their own goals by achieving organizational goals.

Question 5

Katz & Kahn’s: Open System Theory

Answer 5

*Organizations are open systems.
-undergo cycles of events
-try to maintain homeostasis

*Assume: organizations are characterized by in-put - throughput - output cycles.

Equifinality
-different systems can achieve the same outcomes when they have different starting points

Multifinality
-systems can achieve dissimilar outcomes when they have the same starting point.