Summary of Human Behavior in Organization

SEMI FINALS

MODULE 2

PART I

ORGANIZATION’S TECHNICAL SYSTEM

• Organizational Structure

Structure- Organizations create structure to facilitate the coordination of activities and to control the action of their members.

3 Components of Structure

1. Complexity- To do with the degree to which activities within the organization are broken up or differentiated. It encompasses three forms or differentiation:

1. Horizontal Differentiation- Degree or horizontal separation between units.
2. Vertical Differentiation- Depth of the organizational hierarchy.
3. Spatial Differentiation- the degree to which the location of an organization’s physical facilities and personnel are geographically dispersed.

1. Formalization- Degree to which jobs within the organization are standardized.
2. Centralization- which considers where decision-making authority lies.

• Mechanistic vs Organic structure

1. Mechanistic Structure- characterized by high complexity, high formalization, and a little participation by low-level members in decision making.
2. Organic structure- it is low in complexity and formalization, it possesses a comprehensive information network, and involves high participation in decision-making.

• Bureaucracy or Bureaucratic Structure- has procedures and protocols. It has the most of the characteristics associated with the mechanistic model.
• Adhocracy or Adhocratic Structure- combines most of the features we’ve described in the organic model.

Structural design that German sociologist Max Weber has described as a having the following characteristics:

1. Division of labor- Each person’s job is broken down into simple, routine, and well-defined task.
2. Well defined authority hierarchy- There is a multilevel formal structure with a hierarchy of position or offices.
3. High Formalization- To ensure uniformity and to regulate the behavior of job holders.
4. Impersonal Nature- Sanctions are applied uniformly and impersonally to avoid involvement with individual personalities and personal preferences of members.
5. Employment decision based on merits- Selection and promotion decision are based on technical qualifications competence, and performance of the candidate.
6. Career tracks for employees- Members are expected to pursue a career in the organization.
7. Distinct separation of members’ organizational and personal lives- To prevent the demands and interests of personal affairs from interfering with the rational impersonal conduct of the org. activities, the two are kept complete separate.

• Organizational Key Structural Variables

1. Organization Size-  Increased in the number of organizational members, also naturally increases the size of the organization
2. Organizational Level/Vertical Differentiation- More organization levels mean a taller organizational structure.
3. Span of Control- refers to the number of subordinates who report directly to a manager.
4. Horizontal Differentiation- this might lead to overspecialization or over division of labor.
5. Centralization- top managers make the organizations key decision with little or no input from lower-level personnel.

Decentralized Organization- action may be taken more quickly to solve problems.