OE and D (Organization) Flashcards
Staff units
Work groups that assist line units by providing specialized services such as HR.
Line units
Workgroups that conduct the major business of an organization
Chain of command
Line of authority within an organization.
Ex: employees only reports to only one superior. This eliminates the confusion, loss of productivity, and stress.
Departmentalizatin
Way an organization groups jobs to coordinate work.
What are 4 commonly strucutres?
Functional
Product
Geographic
Matrix
Functional Structure
Organizational structure in which departments are defined by the services they contribute to the organization’s overall mission, such as marketing and sales, operations, and HR. The most common organizational structure.
Geographic Structure
Organizational structure in which geographic regions define the organizational chart. Each region or country has its own complete and self-sufficient set of functions. Each region or country has its own division, and decision-making it decentralized. More employees are required to staff, but value is achieved because each division can be more responsive to local market.
Organizational development
Process of enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization and the well-being of its members through planned interventions.
Matrix Structure
An organizational structure that combines departmentalization by division and function to gain the benefit of both; results in some employees reporting to two managers rather than one, with neither manager assuming a superior role.
Includes cross-functional teams who may work together to design, develop, and market products. Creates a dual chain of command.
Product streucture
Organizational structure in which functional departments are grouped under major product divisions. Each division will have its own marketing, sales, manufacturing, and finance functions. More employees are required to staff this type of organization but is offset by accumulated experience and expertise.
Formalization
Refers to the extent to which rules, policies and procedures govern the behavior of employees in an organization.
The more formal the organization, the greater the written documentation, rules, and regulations, but it restricts employees’ abilities to respond to unusual situations, or customer needs as well as stifles creativity and innovation.
Span of control
Refers to the # of individuals who report to a supervisor. Too big of a span can slow an organization making it difficult for directors to make decisions.
What drives a company towards a wide span of control?
The desire for employees to communicate directly with their ultimate supervisor and decision-maker.
What is a Flat organization?
Companies in which employees report to only one or a few supervisors.
Structure
The way the company separates and connect its pieces/departments
Systems
The policies that guide behavior and work. The processes that define how to do a task. Tools that are used to support the work.
Culture
The set of beliefs, attitudes, values, and behaviors shared in the company and passed onto new members.
Values
The principles that the company and its leaders have explicitly selected as a guide for decisions and actions.
