Community Clinic Machine Metaphor

The machine metaphor is defined as an organization that operates in a mechanistic-like manner (Morgan 12). These organizations are very centralized and structured. The tasks performed are very monotonous and predictable, and workers become very separated from their work, similar to how a robot would operate. The employees are viewed by the organization as inanimate and replaceable. In a machine, each unit is independent and necessary to create a smooth operation of the whole machine. Community
Clinic has only a few similar mechanistic functions within their organization. The South County Clinic employees (and all other clinics) follow a set "chain of commands" within the hierarchy. There are very strict rules pertaining
The paperwork that has to be filled out by the employees and the patients is also very routine and standard, making it a repetitive, mechanistic-like chore for both parties.
The rules and guidelines that are given by the government for Medicaid patients and Title X patients (funding for family services) are also very stringent and must be followed as to not get the funding taken away (see
Appendix C).

The machine metaphor creates a few strengths and weaknesses within an organization. This metaphor suggests that the mechanization of organizations is effective in dealing with straight- forward tasks, as well as providing efficiency and control. At Community Clinic, most of the paperwork is required to be done in a set time- a mechanistic like manner, which is done efficiently and precisely. The weaknesses of the machine metaphor are the inability to adapt to change and its dehumanizing qualities. For example, if a patient educator were to fill out paperwork differently than the organization says to, he/ she would be reprimanded.
This ideology allows no room for human error.

A different approach to the machine metaphor would be the
This ideology also suggests that there is always uncertainty within an organization-due to the nature of human beings, and that this should always be acknowledged (Morgan 39).
In relation to the organismic metaphor, Community Clinic has realized some of the needs of its organization and their environment. The times have changed within the realm of sexuality (being much more acceptable to talk and educate about it). All clinics provide "teen clinics" where teenagers can get one year's services completely free. Becoming educated on sexuality at a young age is something that would not have happened 50 years ago. They also offer free STD screenings quarterly and do many other outreach programs within the St. Louis area. The organization has changed with the times to fit the needs of their clients. Community Clinic is dependent upon the environment to become profitable.

The last metaphor I will discuss is the Cultural Metaphor. According to
Morgan (120), "An organizational culture occurs when social relationships emerge within a company". Although we are working, we are humans with emotional and physical desires, which need to be met through