Organizational Structure, Behavior, Processes and Functions (Essay Sample)

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Organizational Structure, Behavior, Processes and Functions
The organizational structure has an impact in the operations and the running of the firm; this is especially so since an efficient and effective model is to be established. a well organized firm will likely have well developed processes and protocols in working out different functions as opposed with others that are not organized and will work haphazardly in solving a function. Moreover, being organized ensures a smooth and systematic solving of any problem and can enable easy tracking of the processes (Miner, 52). Indeed, the organizational behavior processes and functions are a reflection of the structure implemented and will in turn impart on the performance and productivity; additionally, it may also impact on costs as an organized system will be able to identify the flaws and inconsistencies and correct them. This paper critically discuses the organizational theory and identifies its functional practicalities. In addition, it gives a resourceful and authoritative focus on the perspective of organizational structure, behavior, processes and functions by analyzing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Organizational Theory
The organization remains dynamic and hence it study requires adverse knowledge and critical analysis; this helps in identifying themes used by different organizations in their quest to solve problems and maximize the efficiency and output. The organizational theories impact on the structure, behavior, processes and functions of the firm in that management will choose and implement one school of thought that will in turn affect the aforementioned. The organizational theory is categorized into three perspectives that include classical, neoclassic and modern organization (environmental) (Daft, 67).
The classical is grouped into scientific management approach, bureaucratic, and administrative. The scientific theory applies the Taylor’s principles of management that focus on innovating a scientific method that substitute the old strategy of applying the “rule of the thumb”. In addition, it accents on the need for management to train its employees; a good working relation between the workers and management and identical division of labor among the workers and the managers. The bureaucratic theory focuses on the principles of structure, specialty, rationality, predictability, democracy and stability. Indeed, this theory can be rigid, uncongenial, used to develop self interests and build empires. The administrative theory focuses on the principles of management which highlights on aspects of planning, training, organizing, coordinating and commanding functions.
The neoclassic only has the Hawthorne theory; which is based on the ideas of leadership, morale, and others that influence behavior. According to this theory the human relations among the employees and their satisfaction, and a sense of belonging for the workers is an attribute that ensures increased productivity (Miner, 78). Therefore, the management has the mandate to enhance skills by ensuring the workers remain motivated, there is proper communication and are led in the right direction. For the management it is a challenge to attain skill on how to manage the workers by understanding their social behavior.
The environmental has the systems, socio-technical and contingency (situational) approaches. The system approach takes the organization to have inter-related processes that are mutually dependent; this means it will have sub systems that will link the processes and systems to the organization’s goals. The socio-technical approach takes the firm to be a social system, interlinked with the technical components and the environment it operates it. Management is required to balance all these components to achieve a healthy organization that functions effectively without failure (Tsoukas & Knudsen, 67). The situational or contingency approach identifies the link between the organization and the environment; additionally, the various environments can be handled with different approaches. It proposes that every situation requires a unique and different solution from the others, and that when a solution works on a problem doesn’t necessarily mean it will work on the other. For this reason, it suggests that every situation should be handled singly and not generalized. This is however dependent on internal and external factors such as the organizational size, adaptation, resources and the operations.
Applications of the organizational theory
For an organization the application of the theory stands as vital as they are mostly aimed at improving efficiency and productivity. Every theory chosen gives an implementation plan to achieve the goals needed. The theory can be applied in strategy and finance, marketing, information technology, operations, human resources, and communication.
In strategy and finance the management team uses it to improve the value of the firm through organizing different plans to attain an end result; such plans are used to monitor and control output. The plans also involve structuring events and designing processes that the firm will follow and the desired outcome (Miner, 71). Marketing involves creating and promoting the brand of the organization. Hence, strategic measures plans will ensure they perform an excellent marketing campaign; this requires a comprehensive understanding of the firm and its operations so that the brand is made feasible and productive.
Information technology involves the flow of information in the organization; this affects the processes and outcomes of work. By identifying the organizational theory the will be an understanding of what to design to solve the information needs. The designed system will be well integrated with the work plan and any flaws in the system are easily identified (Tsoukas & Knudsen, 89). Operations of the firm may be numerous and involve many processes; this is more so when issues of value chain management are introduced. The need to connect all processes such as the distributors, suppliers, and the customers necessitate the identification of an organizational theory that supports system integration, technical issues and socio-cultural factors.
Communication is the backbone to every organization, without it the functions and processes will not be systematic; in addition, it will lead to social-cultural breakdown of the workplace due to employee – employee and managers – employees conflicts. There should be a clear structure of interaction developed by the communication specialist and they must be able to specify how people interact in the given environments (Vibert, 84). Indeed, effective and efficient communication stands out as every organization pillar to achieve its objectives. Through an efficient communication system the organization will identify innovative processes of production and help diagnose issues misaligned to the needs of the organization.
Human resource is also very vital as they contribute significantly to the production process; thus all processes such as recruitment should be well structured. The organizational theory provides the knowledge that will ensure development and enhancement of change in different elements that are deeply linked to human resource. It will also facilitate organization of events and issues such as training, conferences, team building, and promotions that are related to the work force.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a government agency that specializes in dealing with emergencies in the U.S. it is based in the department of homeland security and is involved in rapid response to emergencies such as fires, hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, tornadoes and earthquakes. “FEMA’s mission is to support citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards” (FEMA, 2012). In this agency the organizational theory can be seen well into play. This has greatly impacted on its structure, behavior, processes, and functions.
The structure can be identified in the well laid out plan of the organization that identifies the leadership, departments and regions. In its organizational structure FEMA has Office of Policy and Program Analysis, Office of National Capital Region Coordination, Industry Liaisons, National Advisory Council, Office of External Affairs, Miss...