MATERIAL FOR WEEK 3

MBA 525 Dr. Diane Monahan

ASSIGNMENT:

Your assignment is to read the following readings and view the video. When completed review the slides containing notes on four models of organizations. If you desire to read more on how organizations organize themselves your may want to search history of management models. You should discover timelines and readings. Here is a PowerPoint you can view (http://www.scribd.com/doc/15572073/lecture-1-thehistory-of-management )

ASSIGNMENT CONTINUED

At the conclusion of reviewing the information, you need to think about the organization you live in. Ideally this is your workplace; if this is not fitting you may select another organization such as SLU. You are charged with the assignment of assessing the organizations structure. What type of model is the organization? Is it a tall or flat organization? Once you have answered these question think about the communication in the organization that helped you identify it as such (the model selected and as being flat or tall). Time to research. Look for at least two scholarly journals to support your discussion. Remember to adhere to APA.

ASSIGNMENT CONTINUED
Time to have some fun! Ready? For the case study I would like you to select any creative piece which represents your role and experience in the organization you wrote your paper on. This creative piece can be a poem, a song (print lyrics), a photo, etc. This is your opportunity to get out from the crunch of APA and express yourself! Think about your communication experiences within your chosen experience. Write a brief (no more than 1 page typed) explanation to submit to me.

READINGS/VIDEOS

The Twelve Attributes of a Truly Great Place to Work By Tony Schwartz Mission Command: An Organizational Model for Our Time By Stephen Bungay How Teddy Bears Can Make Your Company Ethical By Sreedhari Desai (video)

MODELS OF ORGANIZATIONS
Traditional/Classical Model of Organization

Efficiency of tasks is the most important feature of organizational functioning. Effective transmission of messages is essential. Formal channels are THE way messages are transmitted and authority is maintained. The system depends on standardized rules. Motivation is provided by use of punishments and rewards (only?). Decision-making is largely centralized at the top of the organization, thus relying heavily on downward orders and upward reporting of results.

ASSUMPTIONS OF TWO MODELS OF ORGANIZATIONS

Human Relations Employee satisfaction is the key to productivity and quality Open supportive communication enhances satisfaction Meeting the individual needs of employees is a key goal of management Managers need to pay close attention to building good relationships on the job Employees will be motivated to do good work if the work environment permits it. Human Resources High concern for both people and productivity Organizational structures that facilitate participatory decisionmaking Tasks designed to use full skills of employees Open formal and informal channels of communication Clearly established performance objectives which allow substantial autonomy in work An array of tangible and intangible rewards linked to goal attainment in challenging jobs Investment in development of personnel resources (e.g. training)

MODELS OF ORGANIZATIONS
Systems Theory (system model) Properties of all systems
Holism equifinality negative entropy homeostasis and step functions

Focus is on the Processes - Input-throughputoutput (the brownie example given in class)