Pugh D S 1973 The measurement of organization structures Does context determine form Flashcards
How does centralization affect an organization?
Centralization can maintain consistent policy but may inhibit lower-level initiative. Decentralization allows more decision-making at lower levels but requires clear roles and procedures.
What factors are considered as part of an organization’s context?
Factors include size, ownership, geographical location, technology of manufacture, and business environment.
What is specialization in the context of organization structure?
Specialization refers to the degree to which activities are divided into specialized roles.
For example, having dedicated R&D or marketing departments.
What is standardization in an organization?
Standardization is the degree to which standard roles and procedures are established.
For example, having set procedures for hiring or production processes.
What is formalization in an organization?
Formalization is the extent to which instructions, procedures, and communications are written down.
For example, having employee handbooks and written job descriptions.
What is the relationship between size and specialization?
Larger organizations tend to have higher specialization due to the need for more defined roles and tasks.
How does technology influence organization structure?
Technology affects the structure by determining the complexity and integration of workflows.
For example, highly automated processes require different structures than manual processes.
What are the six primary variables of organization structure?
specialization
standardization
standardization of employment practices
formalization
centralization
configuration.
What is configuration in the context of organization structure?
Configuration refers to the shape of the organization’s role structure, such as the length of the management chain and the span of control.
How can you measure an organizations structure according to Pugh?
scales to measure variables like
centralization
specialization
standardization
and comparing these measurements across different organizations.
What is a workflow bureaucracy?
A workflow bureaucracy is an organization with highly structured work activities, such as production schedules and quality inspection procedures.
What is a personnel bureaucracy?
A personnel bureaucracy standardizes employment activities like recruiting and disciplining but not daily work activities. Examples include government departments.
How does ownership affect organization structure?
Ownership can influence the degree of formalization and centralization.
For example, government-owned organizations may have higher formalization.
What is the significance of the Pugh’s findings on organization structure?
The study shows that context significantly influences structure, but management still has considerable leeway to shape the organization within contextual limits.
