According to Borkowski (2010) organization constantly faces numerous “external and internal forces” which require implementing various changes in the organization (375). To be able to react effectively to the constant changes the structure of the organization should match the services it produces. Thus, Borkowski (2008) points out that two theories of “mechanistic and organic systems” were developed in terms of organizational structure (428).
Thus, mechanistic systems are characterized by a strict hierarchy and vertical communication. Such organizations provide services or goods which are produced by repetitive actions. Such organizations do not need rapid changes, on the contrary, it is fruitful to maintain a strong hierarchy: decisions are made by top management and the rest of the employees should precisely fulfill the necessary tasks. However, organic systems characterized by services that require rapid reactions to changes emerging in existing situations will not benefit from vertical communication. The organizations providing such services should be very flexible.
Such organizations should exploit transactional organizational patterns when employees (or at least a certain part) play quite a considerable role in decision making since vertical communication will enable immediate reactions and on the contrary will waste priceless time. It is necessary to point out that organizations do not (usually) use one of the systems but combine both of them (Borkowski, 2008, p. 428). In the majority of cases the same company uses the mechanistic system for one department (production, for instance), and an organic system for another department (sales or marketing department). This is the most productive pattern for organizational structure.
Thus, apart from various factors influencing the choice of organizational structure (size, environment, majors, etc), it is essential to take into account the goods and services the company produces.
Reference List
Borkowski, N. (2008). Organizational Behavior, Theory, and Design in Health Care. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Borkowski, N. (2010). Organizational Behavior in Health Care. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.