Organic Structures

Kathie Williams

#2162509

BUS-FP4013

Assessment 1-1

        A mechanistic organizational structure, as the name implies, is very machine like.  The hierarchy within such structures is vertically oriented with many workers, grouped into departments, forming the foundation with managers who have a wide span of control above.  There is a strict chain of command and control by management in mechanistic companies, which creates bureaucracy.  Government agencies are an example of the mechanistic organizational structure.  An organic organizational structure, on the other hand, implies a flatter or horizontally oriented hierarchy with less strictly defined chains of command where decision making is shared by employees at all levels.  Google is an example of a company that uses, generally, an organic organizational structure.

        Organic structures are much more adaptable than mechanistic.  Companies that operate in quickly changing, unpredictable environments are well suited for using an organic structure whereas a production or manufacturing company, where more control is needed over processes, would be better suited for a mechanistic structure.  Typically, workers in companies with mechanistic structures have single specific tasks.  In a company with an organic structure employees work in varying capacities simultaneously and over time where the achievement of company goals is more stressed than those of individual tasks.  Also, “companies with organic structures see enhanced communication and cooperation. Commitment and morale are high when compared to mechanistic structures.” (Johnson, 2016).  

        As there is more procedural fluidity with regularly changing aspects of a business in an organic structure, this structure works well in rapidly changing environments.   “Organic organizations decentralize both tasks and decisions so that the company can adapt more quickly

to changing circumstances.” (Thompson, 2016).  Communications in organizations with a mechanistic structure, as employees in different department don’t generally communicate with each other directly, is much slower, making this type of structure less likely to work as effectively in a rapidly changing environment.

        The current working environment is very different than that of the past decades.  Most of us now work in environments characterized by teamwork and shared knowledge.  I believe that the environment will continue to head towards even greater globalization where teamwork and shared knowledge will play an even greater role in how we work.  However, I also feel that the need for analysis to determine the effectiveness of change is somewhat hindered in an organic structure as there are less clearly defined roles and more organizations will begin to use more of the mechanist structure in their business models.