Assignment:
You are to engage (react/respond) to a minimum of at least one (1) of your peer's Forum responses. These responses should be at least 500 words each in length and at least one (1) scholarly reference. Students are encouraged to review the articles, etc. used by fellow students. Where you see an opportunity to pose a challenging question, please do so! Be sure to state what you consider are the strengths and weaknesses of their argument and why this might or might not influence you to change your own answer.
Respond in one or more of the below ways:
Ask a probing question
Share an insight from having read your fellow learners' posting
Offer and support an opinion
Expand on your fellow learners' posting
You can respond by providing a summary and an APA reference to research in the literature
Please see post below that needs a response. The directions are above.
What is an organic organization? A mechanistic organization? How does the environment influence organic and mechanistic structures?
Introduction:
There are multiple types of organizations that can be present. In chapter four of the book it discussed two specific organizations. The organizations that were discussed were organic organization and mechanistic organization. Not only did the chapter explain an organic organization and a mechanistic organization, but chapter four also talked about how the environment could influence both organic organizations and mechanistic organizations. It is extremely important to understand how an environment can influence both organic organizations and mechanistic organizations structures.
By understanding the impact that the environment can have on an organic organization and mechanistic organization it may require a change in the surroundings in order to put the organization in the best position to succeed. Before learning how the environment impacts organic and mechanistic structures it is critical to get a background of each organization. Once the definitions are given, then examples will be given to help better understand both.
Organic Organization:
A company has a few different options for choosing an organizational design that can support strategies and goals. An organic structure is very flexible. They allow for changes to be made and for adaptation. The organic structure style is a great structure to use in a place where frequent changes are made, because the elements are temporary the majority of the time. It gives the company the ability to adjust and make any necessary changes when needed (Johnson, 2016). The organic structure would be the ideal fit in my career field. I believe that the organic structure is a good fit, because it is rare that things are set in stone.
There are a lot of elements in my job that are constantly changing. Most of the things that are constantly changing are out of our control, but we have to have the ability, and the tools to adapt when necessary. For example, before we had the new facility there were numerous occasions when we had to change meeting spaces, because of the lack of space in the other building. We had to stay prepared and ready to adapt at any given time. It can be difficult at times always making changes, but I believe it makes you stronger in the long run, and it allows nothing to phase you when plans are changed or throw you off track.
There are many advantages of using an organic structured organization. In an article on the Small Business website the author explained that the organic structure is fit for fast moving companies who have unpredictable environments (Johnson, 2016). With the example I used earlier about the meeting spaces our environment was constantly changing with required us to stay prepared at all times. Organic structure is a positive when in situations such as the one we experienced. Another advantage is the communication and cooperation amongst everyone involved is increased. When changes are made it requires everyone to communicate frequently in order to get everyone on the same page. Frequent changes also encourage creativity as well (Johnson, 2016).
Mechanistic Organization:
On the Small Business website a mechanistic organization is described as the strictest structure. It was stated as, "having fine divisions of labor, resulting in highly specialized jobs; they rely on management for control, creating bureaucracy; and they have many rules and chain of command" (Johnson, 2016). This type of organization works more like a machine.
When learning about the mechanistic structure I immediately thought about a business such as a factory. In factories everyone has specific jobs of what they have to do, and everything is very strict. I had a family member that worked in a factory and they had strict rules, and each day they had a specific amount of products they had to finish before they were able to leave.
There are a few advantages for a mechanistic structured organizations. This type of organization is organized and you know exactly what to expect. In a mechanistic structured organization the workers are able to become specialized in specific areas. Workers are able to become very skilled in their area of work.
Environment Influence:
It is very important to the success of a firm to understand how a firm can be affected by the environment. One of the environmental factors that can affect both organic and mechanistic structures is the external environment. Areas of an external environment that are important to be aware of are political, economic, sociological and technological (Johnson, 2016).
Each of the areas should be assessed before deciding what strategy to use. For example, if there is a stable environment then that may be the best time to use the mechanistic structure. On the other if the environment is not stable such as a change in technology, then the best option would be the organic structure. The organic structure would allow for changes to be made to stay up to date in technology.