Organizational Structure as a Tool to Determine the Pattern of Working - Essay Example

Business units in this competitive world lay special stress on organizational structure and look towards designing an organizational structure which matches the cultural requirement of that organization. Organizations that are able to understand the structure that will benefit them are able to handle the manpower in the correct way and derive maximum benefit from it. With intensifying competition organization also look to changes and transform their organizational structure but while looking to do so it is important that the new structure is chosen judiciously. The paper thereby presents the importance of organizational structure by looking into different aspect of the organizational structure which is supported by literature findings. Organizational structure is the corner stone on which the success of an organization relies on. Organizational structure is basically defined as a structure which determines the relationship and pattern of working between the employees of an organization and establishes the reporting channel, communication channel, and links people at different levels so that an organization can achieve maximum efficiency in its operations (Organisational Structure, 2011). The structure helps to define the task and path according to which the activities of an organization are carried out. Organization looking to change their organization structure needs to take appropriate steps to ensure it as the pattern in which task is performed changes. For example, suppose an organization moves from centralization to decentralization it needs to define the relationship between the employees as changes in the organizational structure will result in a change in activities for all (Organisational Structure, 2011). Organization need to pay special attention while transforming the organizational structure as the strategy could back fire and create serious repercussion. This makes it important that organization identify an appropriate organizational structure which helps to achieve maximum efficiency from its operations. An important aspect of organizational structure is the leadership. Organization need to identify correct leader who is able to guide and mould the work force in a manner that will help to use employees in an efficient manner. A study supports the same view as organization need to define the leadership process as it determines the hierarchical level by helping in lateral and upward communication (Wright & Pandey, 2010). Thus leadership holds an important aspect of organizational structure and identifying the correct one ensures productivity in the organization. Organization looking towards an appropriate organizational structure needs to ensure that the correct manpower is hired. Steps should be taken in this direction to ensure that employees understand the various linkage that exist in their nature on business and working on the linkage develops the business so that maximum possible result can be generated (Van, 1992). Organization need to look towards hiring the manpower based on the organizational structure that the business looks to follow in the future. This will benefit the organization as it will make it possible for the organization to mould the services based on the organizational structure requirements of an organization. A finding through a literature study states that retaining employees by identifying the needs of the employees through intrinsic reward makes it easy for the organization to ensure that the organizational structure is easily accepted by the work force (Tymon, Stumpf & Doh, 2010). This is an important aspect for every organization as employees who are able to understand the organizational structure are able to work according to the requirements and achieve maximun efficiency in their operations. An organisation which doesn’t consider this point has problems. Important decision are not been taken due to inability. This also results that the new structure adopted doesn’t work making the organisation move backwards. A study presents the fact that having the correct and appropriate organizational structure enhances the performance of the organization (Visser, 2000). For example if the situation demands that organization follows a hierarch level of organizational structure and instead the organization adopts the polyarchy organizational structure that the efficiency of performance will dip. Adopting the hierarchy level will help the organization as it will ensure that the operations are carried out efficiently. This will benefit organization because choosing the hierarchy level of organizational structure will ensure that the organization is able to take decision at different levels and the burden on a single employee reduces to a large extent. These results in better efforts and being able to coordinate this and create a relationship will ensure that the organization is able to garner maximum efficiency. This brings forward to a fact that organization while determining an organizational structure needs to determine the structure that will benefit them the most. In choosing the correct organizational structure businesses needs to conduct different simulation exercise so that the best option is chosen (Dignum, Dignum & Sonenberg, 2006). Having simulation will ensure that mistakes are reduced as different alternatives are checked on a created scenario and choosing the best one that matches with the culture will help organization to ensure best results. For example, a company is having a decentralization structure. This is causing problems so needs a change. Creating an artificial environment as the one which is present and looking at other alternatives will help to come with a good one. A company by doing so will find the advantage they get from using mixed. This might encourage them to use it and checking it in different conditions will help to check how effective this might be. This will ensure proper results and efforts. Organization identifying their organizational structure needs to ensure that the correct manpower hired by identifying the capability of the employees so that maximum possible result can be achieved. Organization need to find out the correct talent matching the organizational structure. It is important that the problems are identified quickly and steps taken to find a solution at the quickest if the organizational structure doesn’t matches the requirements of the employees. The company needs to fix these problems by finding solutions for it. It will be beneficial in the long run as they will be able to handle if such problems arise again. A good work done at this level helps to keep customers with the company and also build goodwill as the customer realizes the company is always there to help them out (Capability Procedures, 2006). Managers at all levels like top level managers, middle level managers and lower level managers in small or large organisations ensure that activities are carried out efficiently by people. This ensures effective communication and proper strategy as managers communicate among themselves (Gable & Martin, 2005). This will help to improve the value for poor performing organization as the efforts will be directed in the right direction. The efficiency of this is achieved when the appropriate organizational structure is adopted by the organization as it ensures that the efforts are directed in the right way. Managers need to “evaluate the outcome against some standards” (Hale, 2003) and see that the task is performed according to the set guidelines and if any deviation arises it is corrected. This will provide correct justification to the organizational structure chosen by the organization and will help to develop a link between all the departments. This brings forward the importance of building a team of employees who have the talent to work together and achieve the task they have been assigned with. For this special efforts should be made to ensure that the correct person is hired as a team revolves around people. We need to train and motivate the employee by keeping an eye on the future. (Burger & Jerry, 2000) This will help to fill the gaps which will arise in the future. Training will provide the skills and motivating will keep him part of the organization. (Burger & Jerry, 2000) During training the employees should be allowed to work in different areas to broaden their horizon and increase efficiency. (Janet, Donald & Beverly, 2003) It will make him prepare for uncertain things to come. This will help to develop a team with a vision in mind. The formulation of a team based on it will ensure that the employees fit well within the job thereby ensuring a positive spirit to flow in the work culture. Organization looking to adopt the organizational structure should look forward towards ensuring that the productivity process matches the organizational structure of the organization (Hunter, 2002). Organization thus in the production process needs to choose the production process which matches the requirements of the organizational structure. Having the correct and appropriate organizational structure will result in minimum wastage in the production process and will provide the organization to ensure that they are able to develop a process which fetches them maximum efficiency. Organization should determine their structure which helps them to gain standardization in their process of working (Bernie, 2010). Organisation while deciding their structure should ensure that the way in which the work is to be carried out is properly defined and standardised. This will help the organization to ensure that standardization is achieved in the working environment and having a linkage between the employees will further enhance productivity and help the organization in the long run. Organisation choosing their structure should also look forward that it matches the culture. If a structure is chosen which doesn’t matches the culture than it will back fire. For example, there are countries where decentralization is considered wise. People prefer those. Business units in those countries should ensure those as it will go with the culture. This will help them to get loyal customers and workers. It will make people feel a part of the business unit. This could be seen from an example of a restaurant which is witnessing a decrease in sales and requires urgent measures to over come it. Before deciding upon the strategy it is important to find out the reason why there has been a reduction of sale during week days. It could be due a number of factors like people are busy as they have to go to the office for work and at the end of the day a simple dinner might not go good with them. It could be because of the service provided and a change people want in the food they have. The other reason could be that the restaurant is not in the most preferred of location so people are not willing to visit it after a tedious job work. This will help to multiply the value for poor performing companies. If this process is added with the organizational structure and necessary changes in made in the working process then it will help to ensure that the restaurant is able to garner maximum efficiency in its operations. Organizational structure thereby helps to determine the pattern of working that is prevalent in the organization and will help an organization to ensure that they are able to ensure maximum efficiency from their operations. Companies which are unable to build values through their strategies and performance suffer a lot as the companies are not preferred by the customers. This decreases the value of their services or product as people find the cost associated with the same to be high than the benefits reaped from it. To increase the role of the organizations managers have to take the necessary steps to deal with it (Organizational Structure, 2011). Organizational structure thus is an important aspect and the starting point which determines whether a business will flourish or not. This will build a structure which will help organization to ensure that they are able to garner maximum efficiency and use the resources in the most efficient manner. This will help the organization to ensure that they are able to use every possible option and gain maximum efficiency by using the structure to their advantage. Organisations thus need to look into a lot many factors when they decide the structure. The transformation is accompanied by many changes. These overall changes will ensure that all the factors are considered. Organisation transforming the structure should be certain in the strategy they will follow as it can back fire if it is not done properly. Organisations need to look at all the factors and see that every factor is accounted. Organisations also need to see that correct measures are taken. The transformation of structure helps the organisation as it gives them a new look. It will change performance and make the people work hard. This creates a new avenue and helps the organisation to project them differently. References Burger, T. & Jerry, M. 2000. Personality. 5th edition. Belmont, Thomson Learning Bernie, J. 2010. Organisational Analysis & Culture. Retrieved from August 21, 2011 from http://www.liebowitzassoc.com/articles/organizationanalysis.shtml Capability Procedures. 2011. Incidence of Capability procedures. Retrieved on August 21, 2011 from http://tsn.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/42/~/capability-procedures Dignum, F., Dignum, V. &Sonenberg, L. 2006. Exploring congruence between Organisational Structure and Task Performance. Springer Link, 3913 Gable, M. & Martin, T. 2005. Machiavellian Managers: Do they perform better. Journal of Business & Psychology, Volume 5(3), Page 355-365 Hale, J. 2003. 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