Differences in Mechanistic and Organic Organizational Business Structures

Web Summaries www.valuebasedmanagement.net/methods_burns_mechanistic_organic_systems This site provides a simple yet detailed chart that divides and describes the differences between mechanistic and organic organizational or management systems in organizations.

Two columns, one describing mechanistic system and its effects and the other describing The organic organizational systems, contain rows of specific categorized descriptions, such as "appropriate conditions: Stable [mechanistic], Changing [organic]." Over a dozen separate categories are given by the site and provide what is at once a comprehensive yet a succinct view of the differences between the mechanistic and organic organizations. 3. The site is a part of Value-Based Management.net -- a non-corporate website/ 4.

The entire Value-Based Management website is primarily educational in nature and appears to be geared towards educating professionals, and as such is unbiased 5. The information is comprehensive, quick, and easily accessible. 1. http://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/between.html 2. This site provides the research results of an extensive six-year project conducted by the authors attempting to clearly codify the available knowledge of mechanistic and organic organizations, and ties this theory to what the authors claim are its historical roots in philosophy.

Non-management aspects of the theories and their predecessors are discussed, as well as applications in the wider world. 3. The authors are both academics, though no affiliations are given 4. As a research article, this appears to be largely unbiased, though the contentions of the author imply a possible bias against commonly held beliefs in the area 5. Somewhat abstract yet highly informative and well-researched. 1. http://bizcovering.com/management/the-concepts-of-classical-management-theories/ 2.

This website briefly yet comprehensively describes the classical management theory as consisting of three levels of management arranged in a clear and distinct hierarchy. Top-level management organizes and controls the overall direction of the company, middle management controls supervisors in keeping with the directives of top-level management, and supervisors ensure that the day-to-day operations of the company necessary to achieve higher-level goals are accomplished. In this management style, each level has near total control over the lower levels, ultimately directing operations in line with top values. 3.

This is a semi-commercial website geared toward the industry. 4. Though commercial in nature, this website has no particular bias in regards to this topic as there is nothing saleable about the topic. 5. An excellent overview of classical management theory is provided. 1. http://www.chris-kimble.com/Courses/mis/Bureaucratic_Organisations.html 2. The principles and systems of bureaucracies and bureaucratic organizations are explained from a historical perspective in this website.

The explanation begins with the advent of the scientific method in business in the late eighteenth century that led to the Industrial Revolution, and continuing through various iterations over the decades. Different theorists and their contributions to bureaucratic theory are detailed. 3. The author of this website is an educator with undeclared affiliations. 4. There is no apparent bias at work in this website's text. 5. The historical perspective allows for detailed explanations of shifts in theory. 1. http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/scientific/ 2.

This website details the manner in which Frederick Taylor, while working in a steel factory, observed certain aspects of operations that led to his development of specific theories of management. The concept of soldiering, in which workers performed well below capacity, and time studies that involved developing distinct plans for every task that needed completion, are both described. Taylor's four principles of management are also detailed: replacing rules of thumb with scientifically developed methods, scientific training of employees, cooperation, and even divisions of labor. 3.

NetMBA is a semi-commercial website with various product offerings and a strong educational bent offering courses to management professionals and students. 4. There is no real bias apparent in this article despite the commercial nature of the website's educational offerings. 5. Detailed descriptions are provided from a multitude of vantage points, making this an excellent resource 1. http://managementhelp.org/misc/open-systems-benefits.pdf 2. The benefits of open systems management, in which greater communication occurs between the various parts of an organization and its customers and suppliers, is described in this article.

Problem solving, leadership, planning, and many other areas of organizational operations are cited as becoming far more effective with open systems. 3. The website is operated as a non-profit by a consulting firm. 4. There is no notable bias in this article, though it is strongly in favor of open systems. 5. Detailed analysis of benefits and explanations of these benefits. 1. http://www.visitask.com/matrix-organization.asp 2. This site describes a matrix organizational structure as a combination of the pure functional structure and the product organizational structure.

It essentially creates a leadership/management hierarchy that has both vertical and horizontal power relationships and supervisory connections. Interdepartmental sharing of human resources is easily accomplished through this organizational model, reducing conflicts and creating a greater balance between the project components of time, cost, and performance. 3. Vistask.com provides management training resources and courses for a fee. 4. Though the site charges for some of its services, other information is freely available and appears to e entirely unbiased. 5.

Though brief, the pictorial representation as well as the textual explanation of matrix organization provided on this site is quite clear and comprehensive. 1. http://www.ilo.org/public/english/region/afpro/abidjan/publ/ilo8/social8.pdf 2. In an interesting change from many business documents, this report details an extensive governmental and NGO project to illustrate basic management principles. The efforts to promote occupational health and safety in developing countries in Francophone Africa are the focus of this article, and both practices and effects of such a project are given.

Basic training and education on the development of trade unions were seen as especially effective techniques in promoting occupational health and safety. 3. ILO is an international NGO promoting worker's rights. 4. There is a bias towards labor concerns here, though information is still likely accurate. 5. Bulleted description of the program and effects presents a concise overview. 1. http://www.siliconyogi.com/andreas/it_professional/sol/complexsystems / ImagesofOrganizationbyGarethMorgan.html 2. This website provides a review and summary of a book on different images or metaphors with which.