Organizations as Machines and Systems of Political Activity

An effective leader should understand major principles of organizational change, development and behavior. Morgan (2006) introduced (and provided an in-depth analysis of) certain metaphors to use to evaluate organizations’ effectiveness.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Organizations as Machines and Systems of Political Activity specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These metaphors help analyze effectiveness of the organizational structure and behavior; it can also help evaluate performance of the company and each employee (Renz, 2009). It is possible to consider two metaphors to illustrate this point. Organizations as machines and organizations as systems are two metaphors which can be used to evaluate different aspects of the organization. Organization as a machine is a metaphor that depicts the organization as a machine where all systems work according to some algorithms (Morgan, 2006). Departments are seen a s different subsystems of a single machine. The major focus is made on productivity and performance. Such concepts as bureaucracy and technocracy become central. In terms of this metaphor, organizations function according to a plan with no deviation (Morgan, 2006). This metaphor can help evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy chosen. When seeing an organization as a machine, it is rather easy to trace deviations from the plan if any. Performance can also be easily evaluated as it is rather easy to check whether the organization or a particular employee reaches goals set (or even starts working on time) or not. Nonetheless, there is a drawback in this metaphor which prevents leaders from evaluating interpersonal relationships within the company. However, effective leaders should be aware of the relationships existing in the company (Kinicki Kreitner, 2009). The use of this metaphor is also ineffective when concentrating on the change and development of new creative ideas as mach ines do not create, they only perform. Another metaphor can help focus on relationships within the organization. Unlike the metaphor considered above, the present one does not focus on performance or efficiency. According to Morgan (2006), it is possible to consider the organization as a system of political activity. Thus, such concepts as leadership, power, conflict and relationships come to the fore. In terms of this theory, the leader can trace a variety of links between employees and departments. This can help the leader understand needs and aspirations of the employees, which, in its turn, will help to develop proper approaches applicable in various situations with different individuals.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, this organizational metaphor prevents the leader from properly evaluating efficiency and performance of the employees and the entire company. It is hardly possible to trace development of innovative ideas. This metaphor is rather ‘narrow’ as it focuses on a particular aspect of organizational behavior. Remarkably, the two metaphors focus on different concepts and are somewhat ‘narrow’. Nevertheless, when used together, these metaphors can help evaluate performance of the organization. More so, leaders should exploit all the metaphors revealed by Morgan (2006) as they reflect a particular facet of organizational development. The use of these metaphors will help the leader get a complete analysis of an organization. In conclusion, it is possible to note that Morgan’s metaphors are helpful when it comes to analysis of organizational behavior. Each metaphor focuses on a particular facet and, hence, it is important to use all the metaphors to have all the necessary data to develop proper approaches and leadership strategies. More so, it is vital to switch between the metaphors in different period s of the organization’s lifetime as sometimes leaders should pay more attention to particular concepts. Reference List Kinicki, A., Kreitner, R. (2009). Organizational behavior. Burr Ridge, ILL: McGraw Hill. Morgan, G. (2006). Images of organizations. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Renz, L.M. (2009). Metaphor: Imagery devices used by Morgan to describe organizations as culture and psychic prisons. Emerging Leadership Journeys, 2(1), 54-65. This essay on Organizations as Machines and Systems of Political Activity was written and submitted by user Nancy L. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

18-year-olds Going OTR Are They Ready Are You

18-year-olds Going OTR Are They Ready Are You The demands on the trucking industry are increasing every year- many companies are running at full capacity with daily shipments in need of experienced, licensed CDLs to pull their weight.  Might the 18-20 year old set offer the potential to fulfill urgent delivery schedules? While most states require drivers to be 21 to acquire their commercial driver’s licenses, some do allow 18-20 year olds to take regional trucking jobs. But they can’t cross state lines, and there’s a frustrating lag between graduating from high school, getting your CDL, and being eligible to take most jobs in the industry. Many young drivers move on to careers that are more readily available, which means the industry is missing out.An Argument AgainstOne of the best tools for handling stressful job situations is maturity and experience- a teenager fresh out of high school probably hasn’t had to bounce back from so much as a fender-bender. Trucking requires the utmost professionalism and responsibility. Most teenagers make inadequate interns, but should we really trust them on the road?Brain Development in Progress: Both a Pro and a ConMaybe their reflexes are slightly sharper and they need less sleep, but the human brain continues to develop until age 25! Teens have underdeveloped frontal lobe, which is where impulse control, memory, attention, and consciousness are stored. On the flip side, they have a great capacity for learning, and by the time they’ve grown into full maturity as drivers, their skills will be ingrained.Plan for the FutureWhile executives, dispatchers, and company owners may feel its in their best interests to get young drivers on the road as soon as possible, in the interests of safety and performance, more training measures should  be developed before it becomes a viable industry-wide goal. Innovations like semi-automated trucking might help alleviate the risks of less-experienced young drivers (or benefit from their likely life-l ong fluency with new technology), and  ride-along training programs may help get the younger workforce up to speed faster and safer.

Managing Projects Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Managing Projects - Assignment Example Short of arrangement on the project’s triumph criteria, it will not be conceivable to measure its eventual success. The Tetrad principle is an addition of both the Obligation Opinion and the Achievement Principle. If the variables demonstrate not to be mutually reliable and attainable, the guarantee is neither impartial nor are essential success principles likely to be achievable (Roberts, 2011). The Management Principle institutes how it should be done and by whom. The characteristics of this management control incorporate the project’s expectations, its validation, and an orientation baseline in each of the fundamental variables as a foundation for progress quantity, comparison, and a sequencing adjustment. The above feature is an extension of the administration principle and is essential for efficient and resourceful management of the project obligation. The policy need not in any way impede the proper alteration of the information through the system of project communication stations that is requisite to incorporate all characteristics of the project. The capacity of the project supply team to produce effects both successfully and resourcefully is highly reliant on the cultural atmosphere. The cultural environment incorporates both internal and exterior project associations and standards. Project Scope contains the processes requisite to ensure that the project consists of necessary the labour essentials and only the work required, to complete the project efficiently. Project scope primarily refers to the work that should be done  to provide a product with the definite structures and functions. Q (3)-Upon institution of an entirely new project by Penny Black, it would mean a whole new transformation as well as the organization from an administrative perspective. Therefore, that would translate to a flawless coordination amid the manager and the entire workforce. The consequences would clearly be positive. In regards to risk management,