More often than not, individuals in an organization display extremely predictable patterns of behavior that they need to break out of in order to achieve success. However, altering behaviors can be extremely challenging. Barry Oshry’s “Seeing Systems – Unlocking the Mysteries of Organizational Life” (Oshry, 1995) shows how organizations are composed of ‘Tops”, ‘Middles’ and “Bottoms” and how each of these different hierarchical levels are accustomed to predictable and unhelpful behaviors leading to many issues that organizations face. The PSO organizational simulation conducted in the “Power and Politics in an Organization” course was extremely helpful in experiencing the system workings of an organization, especially, the predictable and unconstructive behaviors that are exhibited by the “Tops”, “Middles” and “Bottoms”. The conditions and the situations in the simulation reflected real organizational experiences and integrated a variety of organizational dynamics, particularly power (and powerlessness) and structure.
The PSO organization’s primary objective was to make greeting cards for its clients. There were several roles within three different hierarchical levels (top, middle and bottom) that created the structure of the organization. The tops were a small group consisting of 2 executives, the middles comprised of 5 managers (Production manager, HR manager, Finance Manager, General Manager and Food dept. Manager) and the bottoms consisted of around 18 workers. There
Jon Fries (CEO), Fletcher Anderson (COO), Craig Schuster (CFO), and Catherine Sprauer (division controller) were the four central figures in this case. Identify the key responsibilities associated with the professional roles these individuals occupied. Briefly describe the
A book that has been foundational for me trying to make sense of orchestras is Reframing Organizations, by Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal. I'll be returning to their framework in later posts, so I'm taking a moment to sketch it out here.
It is important to know that organizations are vital with providing guidance and advice for an arrangement of objectives and methodologies of serviceable divisions. Moreover, these procedures could show the principle explanation of achievement or dissatisfaction of the organization.
Listo Systems, one of the world’s top graphic service companies, was established in the 1990s when technological advancements were increasing and creating a more competitive market. After going through a period of great success and growth, the company decided to hire a number of new employees and adding new layers of managers and supervisors.
Lee G. Bolman’s and Terrence E. Deal’s book, Reframing Organizations, is based on a four-frame model that gives the reader different viewpoints that managers can employ to successfully run any organization. The four major frames are Structural, Human Resources, Political and Symbolic. Bolman and Deal maintain the idea that the goal of the four-frame model was not to discover a single best frame or way for managing organizations, but rather to encourage a comprehensive approach that involves different aspects of each of the four frames that work for improving the functionality of organizations. According to the authors “…learning to apply all four (frames) deepens your appreciation and understanding of organizations” (Bowman & Deal, page 18). This paper discusses the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center (SUNY Downstate Medical Center), a leading urban medical center in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. First, we will give an organizational overview of SUNY Downstate Medical Center. Next, we will apply the four major frames of Bolman and Deal to the organization, and finally we will conclude by offering recommendations that the organization can use
In considering potential leadership issues throughout the simulation, it is apparent that there was some inflexibility in shaping leadership style contingent to the situation. This was illustrated within the simulation, where as the leader, there was an initial focus on a task-oriented leadership style to ensure that team-members goals were properly considered. However, as the simulation progressed, and it became apparent that some group members were reluctant to contribute, I failed to implement a more relationship-oriented leadership strategy, creating an environment where members felt they could not contribute. It is apparent that an inability to contingently shape leadership
7. Be able to apply specific lessons from the readings and cases (Gunfire at Sea, Peter Browning, Choosing Strategies for Change).
In addition to power established because of organizational hierarchy or role, power is also established based on the level of influence or status one holds in an organization (Anichich, Fast, Halevy, Galinsky, 2016). “Status is the outcome of an evaluation of attributes that produce differences in respect and prominence” (Ketner et al, 2003 p. 266) They co-exists but are not co-dependent on each other. It’s possible to have status without power and power without status (Ketner et al, 2003). Whether one’s control comes through status or positional power, lauding control or significant influence over another inevitably leads to conflict.
The new organization structure presented in exhibit 2 suggests the dotted line relationship between plant employees and home office executives. Dotted-line reporting describes a relationship between an employee and a secondary supervisor/leader that provides additional oversight and guidance to the employee in the execution of his/her work. Since Mr. Pierce has never worked at the major line production facility, cross functional relationships could help him to supervise the actual production or other spheres that he lacked experience in. On the other hand, cross functional relationships presented by dotted lines usually creates ambiguity within the structure. Connecting individual employees with dotted lines to functional vice presidents can result in confusion over who can direct the employees’ tasks. As was discussed previously,
The CEO has tried innovative organizational structures like circular and horizontal which could not satisfy the needs. He then adopted the hierarchical
This assignment had to be written for the class of Management and Organizations at Stenden University, course IBMS, first year. We had a group of 6 and had to work it out together. We were enjoying getting into the world of IKEA, the world’s most furniture store on the market.
In fact, high levels of organizational politics may damage the organization’s performance in a number of ways. First, employees may interpret the presence of organizational politics as an indicator of a problem with the leadership or management of the organization itself. As a result, employees tend to feel that a certain violation of the ‘psychological contract’ between themselves and the leaders has occurred. This ‘psychological contract’ is composed of a social–economic interaction and is influenced by organizational politics perceptions. Therefore, when some employees are rewarded or promoted as a result of what is perceived as a successful political maneuver, the other employees may see the decision as unfair. The result will be an increased distrust towards
The organization that I am wanting to describe is a Japanese Restaurant, Fujiyama. Since I have been employed there for two years I have some inside on the different job specializations. There are different positions within the restaurant which include the following: bartender,
In the previous unit, we dealt with the definition and importance of organising, types of organisations and departmentation, organisational division, and span of control. We also analysed staffing and its importance, line concept, and staff concept. In the manufacturing economy, once people have been positioned to do various activities, the next step was to pass instructions
Organizational Politics have been a long standing issue in organizational settings since corporate businesses were established. Empirical data has only been available in the last twenty years, as researchers considered it subjective in nature. Primary to understanding the need for such study is realizing the adverse effects pointing to countless victims along with brutal violations of self-serving agendas. (Brian K. Miller, 2008)