Organizations Flashcards
what are the 4 components of engineering management? (PLOC)
PLANNING
LEADING
ORGANIZING
CONTROLLING
what is “organizing”
arrange the work so it can be done
what is organizational structure?
defining actitivites to achieve goals, resources, relationships
contingency theory?
there is no best way to organize a corporation. the optimal way is dependent on the situation
3 Key assumtions for contigency theory
- environment: the more certain-the more bureaucratic
- technology: the more routine-the more bureaucratic
- size: the bigger-the more bureaucratic
six key questions for organizational structure?
- Work specialization-jobs are subdivided
- Departmentalization-how are jobs grouped
- Chain of command-who do individuals report to
- span of control-how many individuals can a manager handle
- centralization-who has authority
- formalization-rules and regulations
benefit and disadvantage of work specialization
efficiency
boredom, stress
what are the 5 types of departmentalization
- functional
- discipline
- product
- geographic
- customer
advantages of functional organizations.
- hierarchy
- facilitates specializations
- simplifies
- permits use of current tech
disadvantages of functional organizations.
- excessive centralization
- no personal growth
- restricts development
- delays decision making
what type of organizations are ideal for functional organizations
- startups
- organizations with narrow product range
What type of organizations is the discipline type good for
universities, government labs, R&D
advantages of discipline:
promotes innovative pursuits
doesn’t require coordination from others
Pros of Product/geographical organizations
- facilitates coordination
- encourages development
- promotes growth
Cons of Product/geographical organizations
- expensive
- technical obsolescence of specialists
- changes take time
What are the 4 components of chain of command
- responsibility: duty
- accountability: upwards accountability
- authority: who gives orders
- unity of command: there should only be 1 superior
what is delegation?
assignment of authority to another person
what is span of control?
number of subordinates that can be efficiently managed
what do large vs small span of control do?
small: expensive, more managers, vertical communication is difficult
large: empowers workers, speeds up decisions
Centralization vs Decentralization?
centralization: decisons are concetrated at top level
decentralization: decisions are pushed to lower levels
what is Formalization
High Formalization: employees have less freedom and discretion
Low Formalization: employees have more freedom thus creativity
Mechanistic Vs Organic Organization Structures
Mechanistic: Automated formal with precise role prescriptions(hierarchy of command) found in stable environments
Organic: simpler, with more freedom which develops creativity
most likely found in smaller firms
Strengths of Simple Stucture
Simple, fast, flexible
Weakness of Simple Structure
best in small orgs.
slow down desicion making
risky to rely on 1 person
Pros of Matrix Organizations
Work load balance increase motivation and satisfaction
More flexibility
More information can be handled
Cons of Matrix Organizations
Conflicts amoung managers
Dual reporting (communication problems)
ambuguity of resources
Project Manager Focus
focused on schedule and cost
controls the money
Functional Manager Focus
manpower skills, and facilities
focuses on quality and expertise
types of new organizational forms
- non bureacratic structures
- flat structures
- multi skilled capabilities
- informal
characteristics of new style
dynamic
info rich
customer/product oriented
lateral networks
characteristics of old style
stable info is scarce large fucntional oriented hierarchical
characteristics of team organizations
- team leader is in full control
2. for short term high priority tasks
purpose of team organizations
- create recommendations
- make or do things
- run things
define Modular organizations
small core organizations that outsources major business functions
pros of modular org.
- can devote talent to critical activity
- quick response
- increased focus on customers and markets
cons of modular org.
- reduces control of managers
- relies on outsiders
Network organizations
network of companies to share skills and costs/info
pros of Network organizations
- sharing
- access to global markets
- increase market response
cons of Network organizations
-companies give up strategic control to work with each other
Boundaryless organization
one that tries to eliminate the chain of command, limitless spans of control
replaces departments with teams
