Chapter 1
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Organizations: social entities that are goal directed, designed with structure & coordinated
systems, linked to external environment
Closed system: completely self-sufficient.
Mintzberg’s Org Configurations
o Technical core – basic work
o Top management – direction, strategy, goals
o Middle management – implementation and coordination
o Technical support – adaptation
o Admin support – smooth operations and upkeep
Dimensions of Org Design
o Specialization – subdivision of tasks
o Hierarchy of authority – who reports to whom.
o Centralization – authority level
o Personnel ratios – deployment of people
o Formalization – written documentation
o Dynamics: goals & strategy, environment, size, culture, technology
o Performance & effectiveness outcomes
o Contemporary org design
Principle of fit: Environment, goals, strategy, culture & structure, employee behaviour, and firm
performance all have to fit together and compliment each other.
Chapter 3 and 9
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Importance of goals: org goals – reason for existence, official goals – purpose of org, operative
goals – what do employees work toward?
Mission = official goals: vision, shared values and beliefs, reason for being
Operative goals: measurable
Balanced scorecard: financial performance, internal business & process indicators, Potential for
Learning and Growth, Customer Service Indicators
Porter’s competitive strategy – two dimensions: competitive scope, competitive advantage.
Miles & Snow’s Strategy Typology: formulate strategies that will be congruent with external
environment
o Environment: dynamic vs stable
o Prospector – innovate, take risks, seek opportunities, grow
o Defender – internal efficiency and product reliability
o Analyzer – innovate but maintain stability
o Reactor – react to threats and opportunities
Culture: internal integration, external adaptation
4 types of org culture: adaptation, mission, clan, bureaucratic
Types of rites:
o Passage: induction & basic training.
facilitate transition of persons into social roles
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Enhancement: awards night. Enhance social identities & increase employee status
Renewal: org development activities. Refurbish social structures & improve org function
Integration: office holiday party. Encourage and revive common feels to promote unity.