Symbolic Organization Theory to Promote Values

Influential Decision Making / Structures and Lines of Authority

Values are principles that guide our behavior. They are based on our beliefs about what is important and what is not. Attitudes, on the other hand, refer to our evaluations of people, objects, and events. Both values and attitudes can influence our decision making in the workplace (Ruh et al., 1975). For instance, if we value family above all else, we may choose to take a job that allows us to spend more time with our loved ones even if it pays less than another position. Similarly, if we have a negative attitude towards someone, we may avoid doing business with them even if it means missing out on a good opportunity. In both cases, our values and attitudes have determined our course of action. While values and attitudes are not the only factors that influence our decisions, they can often play a significant role in determining the choices we make.

At Amazon Transportation, the movement of goods is a vital part of the Amazon ecosystem, and the company has made significant investments in this area to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. The Amazon transportation team is responsible for ensuring that products are delivered to customers on time and in good condition. This requires making decisions about how to move products from one location to another, how to optimize routes, and how to troubleshoot problems that may arise during shipment. The team is also responsible for developing new transportation methods and technologies that can further improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Given the importance of these decisions, it is critical that the team members have the right values and attitudes. The most important values for the Transportation unit at Amazon are customer focus, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. These values guide team members in making decisions that are in line with Amazon’s goals and objectives.

In the business world, the most successful organizations are those that have a clear focus on their customers. What this means is that they have a deep understanding of their customers’ needs and desires, and they work hard to meet those needs in an efficient and effective manner. This customer focus can be seen in everything from the way they design their products and services to the way they train and motivate their employees. Operational excellence is another important value at Amazon. This term refers to a commitment to constantly improving the way work is done in order to achieve better results. This involves streamlining processes, investing in new technologies, or anything else that makes the organization more efficient and effective. Continuous improvement is another value that refers to the never-ending quest to find ways to do things better. This could involve making small changes on a regular basis or undertaking major initiatives from time to time. It is about always looking for ways to improve, even if things are already good. These three values - customer focus, operational excellence, and continuous improvement - are essential for any organization but they are especially important at Amazon Transportation. Additionally, the employees must have a positive attitude and be willing to work hard to overcome challenges. To get there, Amazon could apply Maslow’s (1943) theory of motivation and find out what the needs of workers are and make sure they are being met; this would support self-actualization and the development of the right kind of attitudes overall. With the right values and attitudes in place, the Amazon transportation team can continue to make decisions that will help the company achieve its objectives.

As far as how values and attitudes influence the various structures and lines of authority, any organization is built on a set of values and attitudes that guide its members. These values and attitudes can be deliberately cultivated, such as in a corporate culture, or they can emerge organically from the interactions of the people within the organization. Either way, they will have a significant impact on the structures and lines of authority within the organization. For example, Amazon Transportation values competition and thus has a hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority, while an organization that values cooperation is more likely to have a flat structure with less clear lines of authority. Similarly, an organization that values innovation is likely to encourage risk-taking and creativity, while an organization that values stability is likely to discourage these things. Amazon Transportation needs to focus on stability because it has so many orders it must process and deliver. However, it can also benefit from innovative new ways to approach handling transportation that are developed by the R&D department. Ultimately, then, the values and attitudes of an organization will heavily influence its internal workings.

By supporting the right values and attitudes at Amazon Transportation, the company could make big strides in addressing its turnover problem. Amazon Transportation needs to value employee loyalty and commitment. The company should create an environment where employees feel appreciated and supported, and where they can see themselves staying for the long haul. Additionally, Amazon Transportation should focus on fostering a positive attitude among its employees. A positive work environment will go a long way in keeping workers happy and engaged, and less likely to leave for greener pastures. Ultimately, however, Amazon Transportation should promote a culture of respect and teamwork. By valuing its employees and fostering a positive workplace culture, Amazon Transportation can make significant progress in addressing its turnover problem. Moreover, it could incorporate symbols that reflect these values into its workplace and thus support the adoption of these values and attitudes in accordance with symbolic organization theory (Hassard, 2002).