organizational theory. organization greek organon: meaning a tool or instrument. so, organizations...
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Organizational Theory
Organization Greek Organon:
meaning a tool or instrument.
So, organizations are tools or instruments to meet goals, objectives, to carry out tasks.
Theories as Frames:Frames or Windows
filter order the world
Structural FrameHuman Resource FramePolitical FrameCultural Systems
Structural ParadigmImage: A machine
PyramidWords: Efficient
ImpersonalGoal-driven
Phrase: The One Best Way
Structural Assumptions:
Exist to accomplish its goalsProblems usually reflect an inappropriate structure Specialization permits higher levels of individual performance.Coordination and control are accomplished best through the exercise of authority and impersonal rules.
Structural ParadigmControl
Control
Control
Truth or Fiction?
“Bureaucracy is the single best form of
organization for providing consistency,
predictability, stability, efficient
performance, rationalism and
professionalism.”
Which is True? Rules promote fairness and
accountability in the conduct of public business.
Rules are also the enemy of progress and dispatch.
Human Relations FrameImage: FamilyWords: Caring, Nurturing,
SupportiveSpirit
Concepts: motivation, empowerment, development, communication
Human Relations Assumptions
Organizations exist to serve human
needs
Organizations need the ideas, energy,
and talent that people provide
Incentives
To get them to cooperate you must
induce them to join the organization
and then induce them to contribute.
IncentivesMaterial: money, compensation, bonusesPersonal: prestige, distinction, powerValues: loyaltyOpportunity: participation, efficacySecurity: job security, support
Follett:
“We cannot put the individual on one side
and society on the other, we must
understand the complete interrelation of
the two. Each has no value, no
existence without the other… There is no
such thing as a self-made man.”
Where is your organization?Does it value people?Does it treat people like adults?Does it develop people?Do managers treat employees as customers?
Political ParadigmThe political frame views organizations as alive political arenas that house a complex variety of individuals and interest groups. This is not about elections and elected positions.
Political ParadigmImage: smoke-filled room battleWords: wheeling and dealing
My way or no way.
Political Paradigm“It is a world where men speak of
moral principles but act on power principles; a world where we are always moral and our enemies always immoral.”
Political Paradigm
Morgan: "Power is the medium through
which conflicts of interest are ultimately
resolved."
Dahl: "Power involves an ability to get
another person to do something that he
or she would not otherwise have done."
Power Paradigm Assumptions
Important decisions: allocation of scarce resources.
Organizations are coalitions composed of a number of
individuals and interest groups
Individuals and interest groups differ in their values,
preferences, beliefs, information, and perceptions of
reality.
Goals and decisions emerge from ongoing processes
of bargaining and negotiation among individuals and
groups.
Human Side of PowerPower Over
power is scarce and limitedgiving orderspunish non-compliancenegative beliefs about people
Power Withpower increases when sharedorders are determined by the situationparticipatory problem-solvingpositive beliefs about people
Sources of PowerAuthorityExpertiseControl of ResourcesControl of ProcessInformation Personal
Exercise:Who has power in your organization?
What are your sources of power?
Cultural Paradigm
“A pattern of basic assumptions, invented, discovered, or developed by a given groups as the correct way to perceived, think and feel”
Cultural Paradigm
Words: norms, values“The way it is done here”“We don’t do that”“our way.”
Image: village, anthropologist
Seidman: Agency culture and
personality
“Attempts to change organizations
without understanding its culture—
norms, beliefs, and values—are bound
to fail.
Open Systems
Organizations can be seen as open systems, like organisms which constantly adapt to their internal and external environment
Image: organismWords: flexible, fluid, changing
Systems ParadigmWhat endures is process:
dynamicadaptivecreative
Wheatley:
Life is an open system: “Open
systems that engage with their
environment and continue to grow
and evolve.”
Assumptions
External conditions influence the flow of
inputs, outputs and can affect the internal
operations.
Organizations use many of their products,
services, and ideals as inputs to
organizational maintenance or growth
Assumptions
Subsystems are all interrelated and influence each other; Organizations are constantly changing. An organization's success depends on its ability to adapt to its environmentAny level or unit within an organization can be viewed as a system.
Colleges/UniversitiesInputs?Outputs?Technology?Goals and Strategies?Behavior and Processes?Culture?Human Resources?Structure?