Critically Discuss Whether (and How) Organisational Structure Impacts on Organisational Learning and the Learning Organisation.
Organisational Analysis
Critically discuss whether (and how) organisational structure impacts on organisational learning and the learning organisation.
Introduction Within this essay we will look at the structure perspective in relation to organisational learning and the learning organisation. Looking at key theories for both we will consider whether a truly structured company has the ability to learn from the environment and other organisations and has the capacity to become a learning organisation itself. We will specifically look at the classical management theories especially Taylor’s principle of scientific management, as well as taking into account Weber’s ideal bureaucracy. As well as this we will look at both single and double loop learning as well as the differences and the possible transition into a learning organisation.
Organisational Structure Structure is more prominent in western society and in predominantly based up on few key theories. Looking into the structure of an organisation it allows evaluation of whether structure helps or hinders learning within an organisation or a learning organisation. Early perspectives such as Taylor’s scientific management (1911) and Weber idea of bureaucracy (1947) sought universalistic principles of structure, planning and control. Classical management theorists such as Henri Fayol and F.W. Mooney were concerned with the problems of practical management, drawing on military and engineering principles, creating a pattern precisely defined jobs and organised in a hierarchal manner. (Morgan 2006) Taylor and Weber focussed on the key principles of classical management theory such as unity of command, scalar chain and division of work. Taylor furthered his work to advocate five simple principles of scientific management. Shifting all responsibility of the organisation of work for the worker to the management, using scientific methods to improve efficiency, selecting the
Critically discuss whether (and how) organisational structure impacts on organisational learning and the learning organisation.
Introduction Within this essay we will look at the structure perspective in relation to organisational learning and the learning organisation. Looking at key theories for both we will consider whether a truly structured company has the ability to learn from the environment and other organisations and has the capacity to become a learning organisation itself. We will specifically look at the classical management theories especially Taylor’s principle of scientific management, as well as taking into account Weber’s ideal bureaucracy. As well as this we will look at both single and double loop learning as well as the differences and the possible transition into a learning organisation.
Organisational Structure Structure is more prominent in western society and in predominantly based up on few key theories. Looking into the structure of an organisation it allows evaluation of whether structure helps or hinders learning within an organisation or a learning organisation. Early perspectives such as Taylor’s scientific management (1911) and Weber idea of bureaucracy (1947) sought universalistic principles of structure, planning and control. Classical management theorists such as Henri Fayol and F.W. Mooney were concerned with the problems of practical management, drawing on military and engineering principles, creating a pattern precisely defined jobs and organised in a hierarchal manner. (Morgan 2006) Taylor and Weber focussed on the key principles of classical management theory such as unity of command, scalar chain and division of work. Taylor furthered his work to advocate five simple principles of scientific management. Shifting all responsibility of the organisation of work for the worker to the management, using scientific methods to improve efficiency, selecting the
Bibliography: * Miles, R & Snow, C. (1978). Organizational strategy, structure and process. McGraw – Hill. * Morgan, G. (1998). Images of organization. Sage Publications. * Ritzer, G. (2007) The McDonaldization of Society (5th ed.). London: Pine Forge Press * Senge, P * State, R. (1989). Organizational learning: The Key to Management Innovation. Sloan Management Review. * Taylor, F. (1911). The principles of scientific management. New York: Harpers & Brothers.