Imagine that you have been given the opportunity to develop your own organization (profit or non-profit) with a reasonable amount of resources. Discuss what product(s) or service(s) your organization will provide, including a rationale for why you believe the organization would be successful. Then, using course theories and concepts, describe how you will construct the organization and its structure (departments, personnel, hierarchy, management styles, decision-making, leadership, communication, etc.). Specifically, be sure to discuss which metaphors or course concepts will provide the foundation for your organization. Be sure to be as specific as possible. Finally, discuss some of the potential problems that you might confront in your organization and how you might deal with them.
Machine Metaphor (Industrial Revolution 1860-1920s)
● Machines are made up of components specializing in specific roles that contribute to the
totality of a production process; each component being vital and equally important
● The nature of work shifts from family profession/craft to manufacturing/assembly line
work
● Provides a division of labor, predictable, and has replaceable parts
● Predicated on specialization
● Organizational structure was hierarchical (top-down)
● Scientific management (Frederick Taylor)
Principle – Efficiency
Weakness:
– Can dehumanize workers; start to view them as machines with no limitations or human
emotions
– Creates unrealistic expectations
– Cause stress
Organism Metaphor (1990s-2000)
● Is an open system
● Focuses on the importance of one’s environment
● Have to adapt to the environment to show flexibility to situations in order to be
successful
● Having diversity in the company and taking into consideration the needs of its individuals
can create a sense of homeostasis
● Individual/group + organizational health/happiness
Hawthorne Studies:
– @ an electric plant in 1920s/30s
– Changes to work environment brought unexpected results
– Started talking to employees = more unexpected results
– Employees work better when their needs are satisfied
Principle – Flexibility
Open System
Closed System
–
Those that import/export material to
and from the environment
–
Have no exchange of material to the
environment
Culture Metaphor (1990s)
● When organizations are viewed as societies with exclusive norms and practices
you only see when apart of it
● Directs to attention to the symbolic significance of the aspects within an
organization
● Relationship between an org. and its environment are socially constructed
● Characterised by traditions, societies, values beliefs, shared vision & mission, etc.
Example – how companies have traditions OR how they have certain lingo for things.
A culture that was created that you can only understand once you are apart of it
Principle – Informal Nature of organizing & Teamwork
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