Ask HR Management Expert

After reading the materials related to the basic ways organizations are structured (functional, divisional, matrix, horizontal, hollow, modular, and virtual), respond to the following:

  • Identify and describe how one of the basic organizational structures was either successful or unsuccessful at your present or former organization, or an organization you are familiar with. What were the key factors for determining the level of success or failure for this structure?
  • Select a different basic organizational structure for the organization you identified above and predict its level of success or failure. Explain your rationale.

An organization is defined as a system of consciously coordinated activities or forces of two or more persons. All organizations share the following factors: coordination of effort, a common goal, division of labor, and a hierarchy of authority. These factors represent the organization's structure. Traditionally, managers have maintained the hierarchy of authority by adhering to the unity of command principle.

An organizational chart is a graphic representation of formal authority and the division of labor relationships. It indicates the hierarchy of authority, division of labor, span of control, and line and staff positions. Span of control refers to the number of people reporting directly to a given individual. That authority rests with the line managers. A closed system is a relatively self-sufficient entity; that is, it is closed to the surrounding environment, while an open system must constantly interact with the environment to survive.

A learning organization is one that proactively creates, acquires, and transfers knowledge, and one that changes its behavior on the basis of new knowledge and insights. Learning organizations actively try to infuse their organizations with new ideas by scanning their external environments. New knowledge is transferred throughout the organization and behavior is changed as a result.

Traditional organizational designs include: functional structures (in which work is divided according to function); divisional structures (in which work is divided according to product, customer type, or location); and matrix structures (in which there are dual reporting structures, based on product and function). Additionally, organizations may be designed horizontally, with cross-functional teams responsible for entire processes. Furthermore, organizational design may be used to reduce barriers between organizations, create hollow organizations that outsource functions, modular organizations that outsource the production of a product's components, or represent virtual organizations that temporarily combine the efforts of members of different companies in order to complete a project.

British researchers Burns and Stalker found that mechanistic (bureaucratic, centralized) organizations tended to be effective in stable situations. In unstable situations, organic (flexible, decentralized) organizations were more effective. These findings underscored the need for a contingency approach to organization design. Figure 17-4 in your textbook illustrates four ways to assess organizational effectiveness, which can be used in varying combinations. No single approach is appropriate in all circumstances or for all organizations. The first approach, goal accomplishment, is the most widely used. Key organizational results or outputs are compared with previously stated objectives. Effectiveness is measured by how well the organization meets or exceeds its goals. According to the second approach, resource acquisition, an organization is effective if it acquires necessary factors of production. The internal processes criterion deems the organization effective if information flows smoothly and if employee loyalty, commitment, job satisfaction, and trust predominate. Finally, the strategic constituencies satisfaction approach considers the happiness of key strategic constituencies to be the appropriate effectiveness criterion. A strategic constituency is any group of people with a stake in the organization's operation or success. These strategic constituencies generally have competing or conflicting interests and it is up to management to balance the opposing demands.

Organizational decline represents a decrease in an organization's resource base, where resources can be money, talent, customers, or innovative ideas. Decline is almost unavoidable unless deliberate steps are taken to prevent it; this is possible if one recognizes the early warning signs of decline. However, the time to prevent organizational decline is when everything is going right. According to the contingency approach to organization design, organizations are more effective when they are structured to fit the demands of the situation. This process requires assessing the degree of environmental uncertainty and the using various organization design configurations to achieve an effective fit with the environment.

In our first learning activity, we will discuss the seven basic organizational structures, and how these can be effective in our workplaces.

HR Management, Management Studies

  • Category:- HR Management
  • Reference No.:- M91261775
  • Price:- $120

Guranteed 48 Hours Delivery, In Price:- $120

Have any Question?


Related Questions in HR Management

Question 1select one diagnostic model ie 6-box 7s

Question: 1. Select one diagnostic model (i.e., 6-box, 7S, congruence, or one of the others) to apply to the chosen companies. Choose the model that you and your team feel best identifies and measures the relevant aspect ...

Question compose a three page paper not including the title

Question: Compose a three page paper (not including the title and reference pages). Your paper should be written in a scholarly third-person tone; it should be in APA format. Your essay should address the following: 1. E ...

Question discuss a specific time when you observed a

Question: Discuss a specific time when you observed a contradiction between: (a) the core values that your organization espouses and (b) the values reflected by the organization's policies or leaders' decisions or action ...

Question in reading chapter 3 we learned about multiple

Question: In reading Chapter 3, we learned about multiple theories including Equity Theory, Expectancy Theory, and Goal-Setting Theory. Of these three process motivation theories, select one and discuss and critique it. ...

Question part 1 think about how to build teams in terms of

Question: Part 1: Think about how to build teams in terms of designing the task, selecting the people, and then, managing their relationships. How would compose a team for completing a course/work project in terms of the ...

Question option 1 big data and swot analysisresearch a

Question: Option #1: Big Data and SWOT Analysis Research a minimum of four articles on big data, its usefulness in healthcare, and achieving the goal of improving patient outcomes. Do a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, oppor ...

Question option 1 annotated bibliographycreate an annotated

Question: Option #1: Annotated Bibliography Create an annotated bibliography by evaluating three articles written in the last five years on patient safety and the quality of patient care. Provide a conclusion that demons ...

Question when considering the home care scenario in the

Question: When considering the Home Care scenario in the Allied Health Community, how would you identify the qualifying criteria to receive the potential $5 raise? What type of matrix would you build to apply raises? Wou ...

Question first part first review chapter 4 and consider the

Question: FIRST PART !!! First, review chapter 4 and consider the role of an HR professional as it pertains to recruitment. What are the most critical aspects that should be handled in order to ensure an effective recrui ...

Question need these two questions answeredusing your

Question: Need these two questions answered Using your knowledge of the stages of life and career development, explain how the career issues of a 27-year-old differ from those of a 45-year-old. What are the organizationa ...

  • 4,153,160 Questions Asked
  • 13,132 Experts
  • 2,558,936 Questions Answered

Ask Experts for help!!

Looking for Assignment Help?

Start excelling in your Courses, Get help with Assignment

Write us your full requirement for evaluation and you will receive response within 20 minutes turnaround time.

Ask Now Help with Problems, Get a Best Answer

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps even

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps, even when the institution is exposed to significant interest rate

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and coupon bonds. Under what conditions will a coupon bond sell at a p

Compute the present value of an annuity of 880 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 880 per year for 16 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As

Compute the present value of an 1150 payment made in ten

Compute the present value of an $1,150 payment made in ten years when the discount rate is 12 percent. (Do not round int

Compute the present value of an annuity of 699 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 699 per year for 19 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As