Which organization would you work best in an organically or mechanistically structured one and why

Organizational structure is a type of framework used in businesses. Its purpose is to find the most effective way to delegate roles, power, and responsibilities to its employees and departments. It also controls and coordinates how information flows between different departments and levels of management in an organization. Having a proper organizational structure will allow a company to implement better operating procedures, and dictate which employees help in making decisions or shaping the organization. Based on an organizations goals and objectives it may be structured in many different ways. Two important structures include Mechanistic and Organic structures.

Mechanistic structures are mainly for companies that operate in a stable environment, use a centralized approach of authority, and maintain strong loyalty for management. Organizations that use a Mechanistic type of structure generally do not need to change or adapt their structure. This is mainly due to lack of innovation, creativity, and quick decision analysis not needed. Examples of organizations using Mechanistic structures include colleges and universities. If you think about it, they have long and strict registration procedures, rarely have to adapt or change in order to keep students enrolling, and most students tend to maintain high loyalty or obedience toward their instructors.

Mechanistic Structures Include:

– Belief upper management is better capable of making decisions

– Management instructions must be followed

– Communication and control must proceed through hierarchical routes

– More emphasis toward completing a task opposed to achieving company goals

– Employees are more jobs specialized and placed into certain departments

– Low differentiation of tasks

Organic structures are used in organizations facing unstable environments and must possess the ability to change accordingly. They have the ability to process, analyze, and distribute information and knowledge very quickly. This ensures that they stay competitive against other businesses. Businesses using Organic structures need to communicate effectively and quickly by spreading information. This is done by departments and different functional areas being closely integrated with one another. Also, by implementing decentralized decision making, employees of lower ranking will have the ability to make important decisions. This will help empower employees leading to greater creativity and better problem solving. Google Corporation is a great example of an Organic structure based business. Their employees are encouraged to use creative problem solving skills and develop new products.

Organic Structures Include:

– Large network of authority, control, and communication

– Problem solving is encouraged by all employees

– Employees are more goals oriented than job orientated

– Employee empowerment is encouraged

The structure of an organization will dictate how people interact with each other and their relationship of roles in the organization. If a structure is out-dated or not implemented correctly in a business, it will lead to many problems. These include conflict among employees or departments, confusion of employee roles, and lack of communication / coordination among departments.

In the past managers have simply tried to reorganize or work with the current structure of a business rather than addressing the necessary issues. This could lead to greater complexity rather than solving structural flaws

A good way to start problem solving regarding organizational structure in a business is to ask 3 important questions:

1 – Is the problem the structure or the way management is managing it?

2 – Does the structure match out strategy?

3 – Has organization design been compromised due to accommodating to personalities?

Have you ever worked in a company and thought about these 3 questions?

Ashkenas,R. Harvard Business Review. Solving the Rubik’s Cube of Organizational Structure. Retrieved June 28,2011 from http://blogs.hbr.org/ashkenas

Corkindale,G. Harvard Business Review. The Importance of Organizational Design and Structure. Retrieved June 28,2011 from http://blogs.hbr.org/corkindale

Kotter,J. Forbes Business. Hierarchy and Network. Retrieved June 28,2011 from http://blogs.forbes.com.

For the most part, mechanistic organization is applied to most all business structures but is predominant in manufacturing while organic organization is best applied to businesses that apply a more open business structure such as online business platforms.

MECHANISTIC ORGANIZATION DEFINITION: According to Black’s Law Dictionary mechanistic organization is “the organization is hierarchical and bureaucratic. It is characterized by its (1) highly centralized authority, (2) formalized procedures and practices, and (3) specialized functions. Mechanistic organization is relatively easier and simpler to organize, but rapid change is very challenging. Contrast to organic organization.”

CHARACTERISTICS: Employees are found to work separately and on their own assigned tasks. There is a definite chain of command and decisions are kept as high up the chain as possible. Communication is a process between managers and supervisors up to executives, there is little daily interaction if any. There are strict company policies or operating standards with an abundance of documentation. This structure is considered the more stable of the two structures.

STRUCTURE: Companies in a mechanistic organization structure typically hold tight control, over processes and employees; with an iron fist so to speak. Rules are implemented and rarely deviated from while there is also a very clear chain of command to delegate responsibilities and power throughout the organization. Again, it is manufacturing companies that are well known for this type of structure but there are other groups that benefit from mechanistic organization; like universities.

ORGANIC ORGANIZATION DEFINITION: According to BusinessDictionary.com, organic organization is characterized by “(1) Flatness: communications and interactions are horizontal, (2) Low specialization: knowledgeresides wherever it is most useful, and (3) Decentralization: great deal of formal and informal participation in decision making.”

CHARACTERISTICS: Employees are often found working in groups and share input on tasks. There are usually teams that handle one task. Communication is open between employees, managers and executives though they are typically just known as ‘the owner’. There is a greater scale of verbal communication between parties. There is also more face-to-face time within the hierarchy of power.

STRUCTURE: Companies in an organic organization structure typically have a more open communication and contribution to tasks at hand. The structure of the business is more adaptable and flexible to changes. The environment is unpredictable but because of the freedom afforded the employees and management it is better maintained. Good examples of this type of structure would be Google and the coveted positions that lie within the Facebook Corporation. Organic organizations have quickly realized that a happy workplace makes for a happy employee.

The mechanistic organizational structure is one of the formal structures as it is an amalgamation of bureaucratic as well as hierarchal systems. The organizations that deal in mass production are most equipped to handle this kind of structure as it can take advantage of economies of scale. The organization is named mechanistic because of its similarity to a machine that works systematically without any divergence from its standard path.

What is organic organization?

The organic organizational structure is a flat structure where every activity is horizontal by nature. It is a complex system because there are no formal rules, regulations, and guidance in place. Every employee has treated equal hence interactions; communications dealings are placed at the same levels.

The organic organization structure is most suitable for external environments that are unpredictable by nature as the structure can adapt itself to any given situation.

Difference between Mechanistic and Organic organization

Both mechanistic and organic are two of the most common types of organizational structures. They are very different from each other in terms of structure, characteristics and even in the matter of guidelines which it follows. The points of difference between the two organizations are described below.

Mechanistic organization	Organic organization
Mechanistic organizational structure is shaped like a pyramid with the power and authority resting at the top.	Organic organizational structure is shaped like a flat surface with the power and authority distributed evenly amongst the members.
The mechanistic organization follows a bureaucratic and hierarchical format of organizational structure.	The organic organization does not follow the bureaucratic or hierarchal format of organizational structure.
Mechanistic organizational structure is best suited for companies that operate in a stable environment as it has minimal options of adapting to changes.	Organic organizational structure is best suited for companies that operate in an unstable and dynamic environment as it can make changes accordingly to suit any situation. It has the option to gather, understand and process information quickly to make changes.
In a mechanistic organizational structure, the rules and regulations are systemized, and the hierarchy level is clear-cut. Every employee is aware of them from the onset and has to follow them diligently. For instance, at the top is the CEO, followed by executives, supervisors, managers and support personnel. Employees at a lower level have no or very little interaction with people at a level higher than their own.	In an organic organizational structure, a network of multi-talented individuals performs several tasks when needed. The organic organization is all about teamwork as the organization encourages group leadership. It means that now several people are entrusted with leadership qualities. It is now the responsibility of the group and not a single individual to handle and manage the rest of the employees.
There is an intensive division of labour in a mechanistic organization, and the work is separated into specialized tasks.	There is no such concept of intense division of labour the work is separated into general tasks with minimum or little specialization.
At every level, the instructions are provided by their immediate supervisors and the employees have to work accordingly. In a mechanistic organizational structure, the employees are concerned with their task. They do not have any authority over their work.	Very little instruction is offered to the team, which is entrusted with a project. The team members have full authority and control over the project.
The employees have set boundaries and remain within the frame working separately at their work stations. Everything is handed down the chain of command from the top to the next until it reaches the bottom. The managers are not interested in the ideas and suggestions of their juniors and do not encourage any such initiative from the employees.	The employees can easily shift from one project to another if help is required. They do not have any set boundaries. An organic organizational structure takes into account the ideas of the employees so that they can feel a part of the system. It acts as an incentive for better efficiency, productivity and cooperation.
The mechanistic organizational structure has a rigid and stable environment as it encourages routine technologies and tasks. It has defined, clear, centralized and vertical hierarchies of command, control, power and authority. Formalization, standardization, specialization is its integral parts that leads to efficiency and predictability.	Organic organizational structure has a flexible approach that can quickly meet the changing demands of the customer and the financial environment. Flexibility is a benefit for organic organizational structure as it emphasizes on specialized jobs. The best thing is that these jobs are not rigid and can change if a new requirement is needed at any moment.
Mechanistic organizational structure has employees that have been hired for a selected job profile. They are not equipped to handle other roles in the organization, nor are they encouraged to do so. Their responsibility is clear, and there is no confusion in their role.	Organic organizational structure has employees that are handy at several jobs, and they do not have a specific role to play in an organic organization. Lack of a particular job profile and personal role and responsibility can create confusion and result in uncertainties.
In a mechanistic organizational structure, only the higher management is involved in making decisions. People at the top-level do not invite nor encourage employees from other levels to take part in discussions or decision-making process.	In an organic organizational structure, every employee is involved in the decision-making process. The senior members invite and encourage everyone to share their input and take part in the decision-making process.
The mechanistic organizational structure follows a centralized system where power and authority rests at the top.	The organic organizational structure follows a decentralized system where power and authority is shared.
Mechanistic organizational structure has a vertical flow of information which passes from top to down or vice-versa.	Organic organizational structure has a horizontal flow of information which is shared amongst all the members.
The rules and regulations are written and explained in detail. Thus it is easy and straightforward to work in a mechanistic organization .	There are no specific rules and regulations in an organic organization. The team creates and leaves them to suit particular tasks and projects.
In a mechanistic organization, it is only the top-level or the head of a company who has the authority to make a decision. This structure proves beneficial in making quick decisions as there is no need to consult lower-level management in the decision-making process. This also helps a company to implement its conclusions at a faster pace.	In an organic organizational structure, the onus is on participative decision-making. As everyone has the right to put forward their views, it increases the chances of options and useful suggestions. The only drawback is that the process becomes lengthy and sometimes unclear and vague.
Mechanistic organizational structure is a formalized structure that prevents the employees from being creative or using their skills to fulfil some other task. Each employee has to work according to specific rules that do not allow them to be independent or creative.	The employees feel a part of the organization in the organic organizational structure, and this encourages them to be more imaginative and creative during their tasks.
The regulated activities in a controlled structure make the mechanistic organization static and rigid. There is no provision to make any changes or suggestions in this dynamic environment.	An organic organization has an open and informal structure and flexible approach that can quickly meet the changing demands of the customer or environment.
The employees in a mechanistic organizational structure are not involved in any problem-solving process.	The employees of an organic organization are involved in the problem-solving process.
There is no feeling of ownership in a mechanistic organizational structure.	There is a feeling of ownership towards the company in an organic organization
Mechanistic organizational structure puts its onus on a narrow span of control.	Organic organizational structure puts its onus on a wide span of control.
In a mechanistic organizational structure, the individual and organizational goals are different.	In an organic organizational structure, there is an alignment of both individual and organizational goals.
In a mechanistic organizational structure, each employee corresponds to one task only.	In an organic organizational structure, employees can be assigned to different tasks.
Mechanistic organizational structure has simple integrating mechanisms.	Organic organizational structure has complex integrating mechanisms
In a mechanist, organization employees work separately to complete a task	In an organic organizational structure, employees work together to complete a task

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