Organizational Structure and Behavior

Flashcards covering key concepts related to organizational structure and behavior.

Organizational Structure

Formally dictates how jobs and tasks are divided and coordinated between individuals and groups within a company.

Organizational Chart

A drawing that represents every job in the organization and the formal reporting relationships between those jobs.

Work Specialization

The degree to which tasks in an organization are divided into separate jobs, impacting productivity, flexibility, and motivation.

Chain of Command

Defines formal authority relationships and who reports to whom within the organization.

Span of Control

Represents how many employees each manager supervises, influencing the height of organizational charts.

Centralization

Refers to where decisions are formally made within an organization, either at the top or decentralized to lower levels.

Formalization

The degree to which rules and procedures are used to standardize behaviors and decisions in an organization.

Mechanistic Organization

Characterized by efficiency, rigidity, predictability, and standardization, thriving in stable environments.

Organic Organization

Flexible, adaptive, and outward-focused organizations that thrive in dynamic environments.

Bureaucratic Structure

Designed for efficiency, relying on high levels of work specialization, formalization, and centralization of authority.

Simple Structure

A small organization with little specialization or formalization, often having one person at the top.

Matrix Structure

Combines functional and divisional structures to take advantage of both and enhance efficiency.

Restructuring

The process of changing an organization’s structure, which can impact employee performance and commitment.

Mechanistic vs. Organic Structures

Mechanistic structures are rigid and specialized, while organic structures are adaptable and less formalized.

Factors Influencing Organizational Design

Include business environment, company strategy, technology, and company size which shape organizational structure.