Lecture 1
Introduction to the modern firm prof.Pontiggia
02/15/2010
Venice 2010
Cà Foscari
Student:Esmeralda Poda
Defining organizations
Should we seek to define what an organization is ,we must take into account different approaches.
1.Firstly ,from a scholar point of view :
O.T.D. -organizational theorem and designTheorem
Design
organizations are designed using rationality . Rationality is based on efforts and it leads to optimize profits
and reduce costs. Furthermore it helps in applying resources following designed plans.
Structures & processes are the fundamental features of organizations .Structure in this case indicates
hierarchy: commonly in all businesses executives run the firm, whereas subordinates fulfill their task.
Procedures are routine, habits.
2. Secondly, considering organizational behavior :
Individual behavior
O.B.
Collective behavior(team, groups)
in organizations behavior is reckoned mainly in decision making ,integration, communication, negotiation
and power relationships.
3.Finally ,looking at
H.R.M. –human resource
management-
Organizations are based on mechanisms of managing people. Issues such career systems ,promotion,
capability and skills are concerned with evaluating and controlling people.
In addition
of people (linked by different relationships)
-Organizations are seen working as a NETWORK
of skills and competences
of tasks or activities
Lecture 1
Introduction to the modern firm prof.Pontiggia
02/15/2010
Venice 2010
Cà Foscari
Student:Esmeralda Poda
Of course the three points are interlinked: as a matter of fact tasks require skills and competence that
people are provided with.
INGREDIENTS FOR AN ORGANIZATION (looking at this four dimensions is a way to define the
features of a company)
*Interdependence – Coordination. How strong is interdependence ? Managing problems of
interdependence is called Coordination, basically coordination of tasks.
*Integration subdivided in Differentiation & Orientation .Differentiation is determined by demand, on the
other hand Orientation is defined by supply. Integration deals with differentiating tasks of different people.
Creating a company identity with a common culture means integrate people :in order to achieve this a lot
of money are purchased ,basically in activities such as training and development policies.
*Type of control. How we check ,how we measure performance of people ?There exist three ways:
process
input
output
burocratical
By the recruitment process
By sales, revenues
*Knowledge(learning process).Actually knowledge is intended in two different stages:
First, knowledge already acquired is exploited by applying it within the processes and systems , second, it is
accumulated outside by exploring the exterior environment. This latter process is also known as “ Dynamic
activity”.
Typical questions connected to each of the four dimensions :
-How they try to use these four dimensions?
-How can they keep together people with different skills?
-How strong are the social controls?
-Is the organization innovative?