Organizational Controls
Ouchi's Organizational Controls
According to the organizational theorist W.G. Ouchi, different organizational systems deploy different forms of control upon the individuals within the organization. These types of controls, however, may be simultaneously deployed within a singular organization. According to the bureaucratic system of control, for example, where an organization relies upon formal rules and standards, and depends upon independent employees, one can see this function in the 'chain of command' at a publishing house, whereby an assistant editor is subordinate to the decisions of an editor, and the editors of various departments must all ultimately bow to the authority of the editor-in-chief, who makes decisions regarding selection of written material and authors to 'groom' for future success, as well as editing the content of texts.
However, even a publishing house is subject to financial concerns, as it may select or eliminate authors with the aim of increasing the revenue of the publishing house, or eliminate positions to streamline organizational costs. It may hire younger workers or unpaid intern, despite their lesser experience and qualifications, because they are more willing to accept lower salaries. Within the house certain social clan controls may also be in effect, as the culture or shared values of the publishing house may influence a young editor to 'snap up' the manuscript of a potentially hot author, to increase his or her own reputation as well as the writer's reputation. If the writer targeted by the editor becomes a proven success, this will enhance the prestige and reputation of the editor who found the author, and give the editor added respect and social cache in the house. A young worker may also attempt to ally him or herself socially with a more powerful editor, by stressing the fact that both individuals like the same books or enjoy the same literary pursuits or simply went to the same prestigious college, to accrue power within the organization, and to gain access more desirable position in the company hierarchy.
