Structural Frame on Berlitz - Essay Example

47). The structural frame perspective (how we view organizational structure options) was developed as a merging from two main theorists – Frederick W. Taylor’s scientific principles and Max Weber’s bureaucratic philosophy. Frederick Taylor’s work was called “scientific management” and was about introducing methods to gain individual worker efficiency rather than workers going by the rule of thumb (p. 48). Taylor measured the individual’s contribution with a stopwatch and pointed out how each worker could maximize their productivity.

Max Weber, however, looked at the overall organization rather than the individual worker. He was the theorist behind the hierarchical model and use of the bureaucratic systems. At the time (after World War II), many countries were still using a Patriarch management model and it was time to replace it. To more evenly distribute the power, Weber introduced a “fixed division of labor” and “hierarchy of offices” as examples of the new organizational perspective. These structural frame perspectives continue to exist today.

Berlitz International, Inc. believes in the traditional hierarchy of offices and in the traditional chain of command. As discussed in McShane & Von Glinow (2005) coordination comes through formal hierarchy. As the organization grows, which Berlitz has, hierarchical assignments take place and power is passed to individuals. Berlitz reflects a structural perspective on their Internet site, Berlitz Japan, Inc. (2011). The organizational chart lesson (see Appendix A) states that employees will fall somewhere in the chain of command, whether on the top or somewhere “a little lower”.

This information falls under the structural assumption that the organization’s current circumstances will dictate the design that fits best. The structural configuration of Berlitz Language Company as stated in Bolman & Deal (2008) started with a simple structure as depicted in most “mom-and-pop” or smaller organizations (p. 78). McShane & Von Glinow (2005) says that “most companies begin with a simple structure” (p. 438). Mintzberg’s Model (Bolman & Deal, 2008, p. 79) is a more accurate configuration of Berlitz International today because of the global magnitude of the organization.

The Wall Street Journal published an article following a press release from Berlitz, that Hiromasa Yokoi, vice chairman, chief executive and president would retire and numerous management changes would take place as well as company- wide restructure (Bounds, 2000, March 21). A spokesperson added that the company would be split into two subsidiaries: Berlitz Language Services and ELS Language Centers. Berlitz is 70% owned by Benesse Corp, an educational publisher in Japan. The decision to split the company was a strategic decision and had been planned for “over one year” (Bounds, 2000, March 21, p. 1). Each center, however, will have an individual configuration designed to suit the center director and meet the overall organizational goals.

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