Organizations are essentially structured around tasks. Organizational goals are broken into tasks, from which jobs are designed. Jobs are then grouped into departments, which are linked to form organizational structure. This chapter addresses differentiation and integration, six basic design dimensions, five structural configurations, contextual variables influencing organizational design, five forces shaping organizations today, and cautions for managers with regard to structural weaknesses. As the organization develops, the structure of the organization is likely to change. Organization size affects the centralization of the organization. Technology affects organizations whether structures are categorized as mechanistic or organic.
Define differentiation and integration as organizational design processes.
Discuss six basic design dimensions of an organization.
Briefly describe five structural configurations for organizations.
Describe four contextual variables for an organization.
Explain the four forces reshaping organizations.
Discuss emerging organizational structures.
Identify two cautions about the effect of organizational structures on people.