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Making Sense of Organisations
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AIM
To further students’ knowledge of organisations through a metaphorical perspective on organisations and investigate different images which underpin the practice of contemporary organisation and also to provide an opportunity for students to interpret their own personal organisational experience.
The need to embrace workable and sustainable strategies as touching organizational development and change has been pressing for modern day organizations. Whereas organizational development encompasses the efforts made by firms over duration of time to come up with better problem solving abilities organizational change connotes the process that enables organizations to optimize their performance whilst working towards an ideal and projected state.
Dyson, a multinational company has had to consider embracing strategies for effective development and change due to the changing strategic situation engraved in the current global economic turbulence that has challenged the firms operations, sales, and profitability. The existing strategy for the company being based on cost leadership and differentiation has thus necessitated the adoption of a future strategy entrenched in e-commerce. The internal and external environment of the firm is captured by economic aspects, technology, and low prices.
Introduction
Organizational development and organizational change are directly related. However, the two differ in terms of their definitions. Scholars have repeatedly concurred that organizational development connotes a planned process to stir up change within the culture of a firm by utilizing research, theory, and behavioral science expertise. Additionally, other scholars have defined organizational development as corporate efforts made over a long duration with the intention of enhancing the ability of a firm to solve problems as well as its capacity to deal with alterations in the external environment.
Further, others have argued that the term connotes a systemic process performed via collection of data, analysis, action planning, intercession, and assessment in order to improve congruence in structure, procedure, stratagem, human resource, and culture culminating in the development of more effective problem solving as carried out through organizational team work with the assistance of change agents.
On the other hand, organizational change is a process that enables organizations to optimize their performance whilst working towards an ideal and projected state (Meyers 2013, p. 43). Moreover, studies indicate that organizational change is usually triggered by the business environment that is ever-changing causing organizations to respond in order to avert a crisis. In most cases, organizational development precedes organizational change except in cases where firms are forced to change and adopt new strategies in order to deal with a foreseen problem.
In both cases of development and change, the processes involved always encounter resistance to change as firms seek to make adjustments in operational strategies and culture. This paper takes the form of a report and focuses on Dyson, a multinational company in order to explore its changing strategic situation engraved in the current global economic turbulence that has challenged the firms operations, sales, and profitability.
Review of Literature
Review of literature indicates that in the light of the current turbulent times, companies, and especially multinationals need to come up with new strategies for development and change. Studies also indicate that organizations are fastly adopting to such strategies in order to acquire the ability to stay afloat amidst the unpredictable economic changes. Conversely, Sullivan (2001, p. 7) argues that only few of modern multinationals have fully embraced the need to see change as an organizational project rather than viewing it from the traditional perspective of it being a core organizational process.
Further review of literature also suggests that unless organizations develop the ability to merge development and change into a single process they may not be able to stand the test of time during the turbulent economic times (Weissenberger& Kotch 2007, p. 7). Additionally, firms need to realize the importance of developing the competencies of their core personnel in a way that helps them enhance their objectivity, imagination, consistency, and flexibility (Balzac, 2011, p. 14). However, Sridhar (2011, p. 2) argues that this alone will not help enhance development and change strategies without multinationals embracing the requirements entrenched in efficient collection of data, assessment, forecasting, diagnostics, , design, and implementation procedures.
The company
Dyson is a company based in Britain and has grown over the years since its inception in the year 1974 into one of the largest multinational. The organization basically operates many stores currently having infiltrated markets in over 70 countries with over 7,000 employees. By the year 2014, the company had already been crowned as the number one corporation in terms of annual revenues. However, the current global economic turbulence has recently caught up with the company causing it to experience declines in sales, efficiency in operations, and profitability in virtually all the 70 countries within which it operates.
Actually, records indicate that in the year 2015, the company for the first time since its inception recorded a decline in both sales and revenues. Despite spending over 11 million dollars to advertise in the 70 countries, the company has not been able to produce the level of sales and revenues it anticipates. This as studies indicate is because the target clients in these countries no longer have the financial capability to make purchases as they did before because of the global economic crisis.
Existing strategy
According to Sridhar (2011, p. 3), companies should always ensure that proper strategies are in place. Strategies define the output of a company (Meyers 2013, p. 45). The existing strategy for Dyson is based on cost leadership and differentiation. This simply means that the company endeavors to provide their clients with an assortment of products and services offering similar or improved quality with their competitors at prices that are much more relatively cheaper.
The company took up this strategy since the day it went public having realized that it could source raw materials and acquire products at prices that could pose a threat to its competitors. However, critics have argued that despite the strategy having worked well for the organization in the past decades it may not be sufficient to help it maintain its competitive supremacy given the current agitating global economic problems (Balzac, 2011, p. 18).
This is because despite its low prices the purchasing ability of its target clients is gradually dwindling making them unable to make the same volumes of purchases. Nevertheless, the organization has kept up with this strategy by always looking out for newer ways to provide products and services at lower prices. Additionally, Dyson is relentlessly rethinking new ways via which it can complete its primary and support activities so that it can further lower the costs while simultaneously preserving competitive echelons in terms of differentiation.
Actually, studies indicate that this is the reason why its competitors have not been able to gain the upper hand over the last three decades because they have not appreciated the need to lower their prices due to the emphasis they have been giving to the maintenance of escalating revenues. The role of the firms supply chain in terms of fostering efficiency in this strategy is evidenced by the efficient internal logistics made possible by the usage of just in time inventory .
Consequently, the company has been able to reduce the costs emanating from outbound logistics. This explains the creation of better levels of fuel efficacy in the firm’s trucks and the bulk purchases that have also served to enable the organization cut down its costs. It is also imperative to consider the role played by technology in advancing and implementing the strategy under discussion.
Technology has given the organization the capacity to forecast demand in an accurate manner and has also sharpened its ability to come up with routes of transport that are more efficient than those used by its competitors. Additionally, technology has also enhanced the ability of Dyson to manage its clients. Conclusively, the cost leadership and differentiation strategy has given the organization the upper hand due by placing high barriers of entry to its competitors (Meyers 2013, p. 49).
Future strategy
The future strategy of Dyson is entrenched in E-commerce. The company came up with this strategy having realized that its sales and revenues had declined greatly over the last few years. By using this strategy, the company intends to rely on technology by setting up a framework that will use the internet as a platform to serve its customers across all conduits. The agenda behind the strategy is to come up with a unique shopping experience (Weissenberger& Kotch 2007, p. 7).
However, one would wonder whether the same strategy will enable the organization to lower its costs below the current ones being offered. However, there is a possibility that this could enable the company to do so bearing in mind that it will lead to a reduction in operational costs. Thus, the strategy could well enable Dyson to lower its prices by approximately 10-15% compared to those offered by its competitors (Sullivan 2001, p. 8). Whereas critics argue that this may not be possible, some scholars believe that it could work with clients that make bulk purchases.
The use of this strategy is also aimed at positioning the firm to become the future of retail as well as catering for the declining purchasing abilities of its globally positioned clients by enabling them to save money. Nevertheless, before agreeing to this possibility one would have to consider the existence of competitors in e-commerce such as Amazon.
Evidently, Dyson will have to do more than just enter into e-commerce because Amazon is currently the giant in this line of business making around 60 billion dollars per year. Whereas Dyson has built its reputation based on logistics, it is almost impossible to achieve the echelons of delivery that Amazon has when it comes to e-commerce. Nonetheless, Dyson intends to start relying on computer sales and the growth of e-commerce by lessening the investments made in starting new stores to focus more on directing capital towards e-commerce.
Transition process
The transition process for Dyson to move from emphasizing on cost leadership and differentiation strategy to directing its resources towards e-commerce must first take into consideration redirecting the company’s resources towards expansion of its e-commerce infrastructure (Riley 2013, p. 23). This means that the organization has to forego its previous efforts geared towards opening new physical stores and focus more on enhancing its online business.
Actually, Dyson has already embarked on the acquisition of jet.com as it seeks to pursue its digital aspirations (Zogjani & Raçi, 2015, p. 3). However, pumping financial resources towards e-commerce alone is not enough to ensure an effective transition. As studies indicate, transition processes only prove effective when organizations realize the need to focus on the needs of target clients by ensuring that the needs of the customers become the platform for business growth.
Bearing in mind the fact that the need for strategy change has been triggered by the adversity of global economic conditions that have decreased the sales and profitability of the company, the transition process must involve a careful consideration of how shifting to e-commerce will enable Dyson to lower its prices to levels that global clients can afford bulk purchases. In addition, the transition process must involve the training of personnel so that the people deployed to work in the digital line will have full comprehension of their duty related obligations (Sharma & Vredenburg 2009, p. 11).
As such, functional training will be necessary so that the e-commerce personnel will have the skills needed as well as the new process information for the transition to be fruitful. Nevertheless, studies indicate that functional training works best when an organization has particular people in mind. This means that prior to the training exercise Dyson will have to identify and recruit specific individuals and sharpen their performance standards based on the e-commerce strategy (Denyer, 2013, p. 135).
Further, the transition process must encapsulate a communication strategy. This means that the current employees must be involved and updated concerning the new changes in order to give each of them the ability to leverage their knowledge, decipher probable pitfalls, and make a commitment towards working with the new strategy.
More importantly, the process of transition should not be considered as an opportunity for the organization to lay down its former strategy entirely but should rather be viewed as an opportunity to merge the useful attributes of the old with the new strategy. Studies indicate that organizations that have viewed the process of strategy transition as an opportunity to completely do away with old strategies have seldom reaped the projected benefits of their new strategy (Denyer, 2013, p. 137).
Consequently, for the e-commerce strategy to help the organization deal with the challenge posed by the turbulent economic crisis Dyson must be able to adopt the new strategy while simultaneously seeking to implement useful and workable aspects of the cost leadership and differentiation strategy it has been using (Suriyamathi, Velavan & Radhiga 2013, p. 31).
Analysis of internal and external environment
The most significant factor in the organizations external environment with regard to the turbulent economic times is the economic aspect. Consequently, Dyson is undergoing a lot of pressure as it seeks to adapt its new e-commerce strategy to the prices of its products and services (Windapo & Goulding, 2013, p. 10). This single factor has led to the reduction of revenues since the countries within which the organization operates are having problems with economic stability.
However, the economic factor still presents an opportunity for the company because of the levels of economic growth being experienced by developing countries in which Dyson has not yet started to operate. Technology is another external factor since the organization must now focus on addressing the current technological trends and especially with regards to e-commerce. Additionally, there is an opportunity because the company can automate its operations and increase its revenue levels.
The aspect of technology also presents an opportunity for Dyson because of the escalating levels of mobile device usage. The threat however is that companies like Amazon have already made their successful entry into e-commerce and it may take a lot of time and effort before Dyson catches up. The most significant internal factor for the company is its low prices. This is a great advantage for the organization because customers have become accustomed to the fact that its products and services are lower than those of its competitors.
Critical analysis of the changing situation
The changing situation as engraved in the turbulent economic times and the future strategy of e-commerce is more of a planned than emergent change. It is a planned change because the company is currently making intentional changes to make its products available over the internet. However, Ali (2008, p. 56) argues that he change is more of emergent than planned because the company has been forced to make amendments in order to respond to the changing customer preferences for online shopping as well as the turbulent economic times.
Although the company has decided to use e-commerce as the future strategy for combating the effects of the turbulent economic times, this may not remedy the situation because of the presence of already existing online companies like Amazon.
While some deem the move to adopt the new strategy the best option for the company to respond, Ali (2008 p. 7) says that it may not be possible for the company to reap the anticipated results unless it persists and focuses on delivery. The ability of Dyson to deal effectively with the challenges emanating from the turbulent economic times will depend on how well it is able to make fitting structural changes that are aligned with the new strategy.
The most significant structural change that will be experienced by Dyson as it seeks to adopt the e-commerce strategy will affect teams and team work in the organization. This is because Dyson will have to come up with technology efficient teams that will work together for the success of the strategy. Additionally, this structural change will influence the culture of the organization.
According to Strazewski (2009, p. 137), e-commerce teams have to be so cohesive that any changes in the customer demands and prices are passed to each member of the team to help businesses stay afloat. This means that the organization will have to focus more on the culture of timeliness and transparency. However, the company is likely to experience problems in entrenching this culture because its current employees have not been accustomed to online business.
The cultural web of Dyson has played a major role in the past in helping achieve organizational competence (Prasad & Nori 2008, p. 50). For instance, the control systems of the firm have enabled the company to effectively monitor and sustain its supply chain (Zendg 2009, p.44). However, the current control system may not be compatible with the strategy that the company aims to deploy.
According to Cloutier and others (2015, p. 21), it is impossible for companies that have engaged in e-business before to expect success by deploying the same control system. Further, the current rituals in the organization have been focusing on the supply chain as well. This means that the firm will have to adopt a new set of rituals that emphasize more on the performance of e-business.
The role of technology at Dyson as the company seeks to introduce the e-commerce strategy is irreplaceable. Firstly, this is because the organization will most likely have to make some changes in terms of human resource in order for the strategy to work. This means that the company may have to replace some of its employees with others that are technology efficient (Loo 2009, p. 9).
Further, there will be need for constant training so that the strategy works as anticipated. Although Dyson expects the new strategy to lead to higher profit margins, this may not be the case in the short-run. According to Huang (2010, p. 140), e-commerce forces organizations to lower their prices more than expected because customers can easily find the same products at similar or lower prices over the internet. Nevertheless, the catch is that technology will help Dyson to do business in every country of the world. This is because of the ability of technology to break geographical barriers (Jones & Parry 2011, p. 16).
This means that the organization will have the capacity to increase the volume of sales and consequently the profit margins due to the global expansion of its market (Theodore, 2014, p. 71). There is however a possible problem in that the use of technology has a way of altering consumer loyalty and purchasing behaviors. This is because of the increasing presence of online retailers causing clients to begin evaluating their options and may opt to go for retailers that have already made their impact in online business like Amazon (Ling. 2015, p. 75).
Recommendations
It is highly recommendable for Dyson that the company instead of completely doing away with the cost leadership and differentiation strategy to try and merge the existing strategy with the future strategy based on e-commerce. This is because the existing strategy has helped the company achieve the current levels of competitiveness and completely setting it aside will deprive the company of the benefits attached. Due to the presence of competitors like Amazon the company should also consider taking time to research on better online platforms although this will take time.
Conclusion
Business strategies should be set up in line with structures of businesses. Well selected strategies always thrust businesses into good performances. Change management should be handled properly till completion. This should be guided by organization culture and company leadership as seen in the case of Dyson company.
Organizational Design as it Relates to Organizational Theory
Annotated Bibliography
Abstract
Organizational design is an important aspect in organizational theory, given the role played by organizational design in providing direction for the firm. Organizational design refers to systematic methodologies that organizations utilize in identifying organizational aspects that are dysfunctional, before realigning them to ensure that they are in tandem business goals and developing plans to make the necessary changes.
Organizational theory, on the other hand, involves the study of organizations with an objective of identifying structures and strategies for efficiency and productivity maximization. Organizational design is related to organizational theory because organizational theory seeks to study strategies undertaken by firms to enhance productivity, which essentially represents what organizational design aims to achieve.
In studying research design as it relates to research theory, a number of themes are explored in this paper. These include the impact of organizational design in promoting firm productivity and efficiency, the impact of organizational design on change management, the role of organizational design in enhancing employee performance and motivation, how organizations can ensure that they have the right fit when it comes to organizational strategy, and how the effectiveness of organizational design can be enhanced.
Outline
Organizational design
Organizational theory
Organizational design as it relates to organizational theory
Impact of organizational design in enhancing productivity and firm efficiency
Organizational design and its role in change management
Organizational design and its role in employee motivation and engagement
Organizational design and the concept of FIT
Promoting the effectiveness of organizational design
Annotated Bibliography
Tarek, S., Wilberg, J., Tommelein, I. D., & Lindemann, U. (2016). Supporting the design of competitive organizations. Journal of Modern Project Management, 4(2), 96-103. doi:10.19255/JMPM01109
This paper addresses organizational competitiveness by illustrating the importance of adapting effectively to market changes. According to Tarek et al. (2016), external environment trends are a constant disruption to companies and the need to adopt strategies that enhance competitiveness is of great significance. In this paper, they make use of the Viable Systems Model (VSM), which is used in promoting organizational design and avoiding deficiencies. Technology adoption and external environment monitoring come out as important themes in strategic design in a bid to improve competitiveness. This paper effectively demonstrates the importance of organizational design in enhancing competitiveness and is therefore applicable to my topic.
Capelle, R. G. (2017). Improving Organization Performance by Optimizing Organization Design. People & Strategy, 40(2), 26-31.
This article dwells on explaining the relevance of organizational design on organizational performance. In this article, Capelle (2017) notes that a clear understanding of current strategy is important in organization design optimization, such that the organization can be transformed into a high-performing unit. The role of organizational design in relation to the human resource is discussed, with the conclusion that the design of the organization determines its overall performance.
This includes the development of optimal organizational structures and clear lines of accountability and deliverables. People alignment is also considered an imperative factor in optimizing organizational design as it ensures efficient performance. This paper addresses a critical aspect of organizational theory which is the impact of human resource management and will be useful in addressing the employee engagement section in my paper.
Donaldson, L., & Joffe, G. (2014). FIT – the key to organizational design. Journal of Organization Design, 3(3), 38-45. doi:10.7146/jod.18424
The ability to develop an organizational design that meets a company’s objectives and aligns with its strategy is considered an important factor in determining its efficiency. In this paper, Donaldson & Joffe (2014) discuss the concept ‘fit’, noting that an organizational design needs to fit the situation in order to successfully influence the performance of the organization.
Situational factors may include organizational size, competitive strategy, and task uncertainty. Donaldson & Joffe (2014) also use the contingency theory to explain how fits may be developed and misfits identified. The paper aligns well with my paper because it provides valuable details on how to promote the effectiveness of strategic design through ensuring that it fits the organization’s situation.
Stea, D., Foss, K., & Foss, N. J. (2015). A Neglected Role for Organizational Design. Journal of Organization Design, 4(3), 3-17. doi:10.7146/jod.20434
In this paper, the authors focus on the relevance of delegation in enhancing an effective organizational design. According to Stea, Foss & Foss (2015), organizations must respond to environmental changes that currently call on organizations to foster knowledge and motivation among employees. This is effectively achieved through delegation and can be realized through the development of the organizational design to create value for organizations.
The paper also discusses the question of credibility in delegation and motivation, which may affect the outcome of the exercise. This paper is a great addition to my literature review as it addresses issues affecting organizational design.
Nissen, M. (2014). Organization Design for Dynamic Fit. Journal of Organization Design, 3(2), 30-42. doi:10.7146/jod.8196
Nissen (2014) discusses the concept of ‘fit’, which is considered an important aspect of organizational design. Given the constant change in the business world, organizations must adjust in order to be competitive and strategic design must seek to address these dynamics in ensuring that it works effectively for the organization.
Nissen studies various theoretical perspectives affecting fit including design orientation, manager roles, organizational systems and measurement and validation. This paper provides valuable insight into my topic and will be beneficial in explaining how organizational design success can be enhanced.
Felin, T., & Powell, T. C. (2016). Designing Organizations for Dynamic Capabilities. California Management Review, 58(4), 78-96. doi:10.1525/cmr.2016.58.4.78
Enhancing competitiveness is subject to an organization’s ability to adapt to different environmental changes. Felin & Powell (2016) examine the development of dynamic capabilities through organizational design and note that this could be impactful in enhancing innovation. The article makes reference to Valve Corporation as an example, an organization that has been highly successful in market adaptation and strategic innovation in a fast-moving environment.
The research by Felin & Powell notes that dynamic capabilities ensure that organizations can survive in competitive landscapes and constant market changes including technology change and market demand volatility. This research will contribute to my paper through providing insights on how organizations can harness their strategic positions through organizational design.
Connor, A. (2015). Organizational Design that Really Works. Design Management Review, 26(3), 23-29. doi:10.1111/drev.10329
This paper addresses organizational change and its related impact on organizational design. According to Connor (2015), change and reorganization require the application of innovative strategies to ensure that the change is beneficial to the organization. In this regard, organizational design is considered imperative in ensuring that change is set up in a way that it aligns with and supports the organizational objectives. Connor notes that integrating design into an existing system requires adjustments to ensure a strategic fit and also the need to observe, analyze and modify to allow effective implementation.
Mendoza-Walters, A., & Ivanov, S. (2016). Combining passion with planning: applying organizational theory to improve business operations in non-profit organizations. International Journal of Organizational Innovation, 9(2), 46-51.
This research is unique in that while a majority of articles focus on for-profit organizations, it addresses the challenges faced by non-profit organizations. Through focusing on a Washington DC non-profit, the paper demonstrates how organization theory could improve its performance, by ensuring effective planning. Mendoza-Walters & Ivanov (2016) make various recommendations for more effective performance including the implementation of more strategic division of labor, restructuring the organization, and the inclusion of technology in enhancing planning. The paper demonstrates that business efficiency can be improved through organizational theory and therefore forms a basis for understanding my topic of study.
Aubry, M., & Brunet, M. (2016). Organizational Design in Public Administration: Categorization of Project Management Offices. Project Management Journal, 47(5), 107-129.
Aubry & Brunet (2016) focus on public administration organizational design with the aim of determining how government offices can utilize organizational design to improve their performance. The public administration offices are required to implement multiple projects with each requiring careful consideration to ensure that it meets the needs of the public. Effective project management requires organizational design to ensure that the projects are successfully implemented.
In this relation, Aubry & Brunet (2016) suggest categorization of projects based on types and this is considered effective in enhancing project outcomes. The research concludes that organizational design is important in enhancing project outcomes and therefore effective in promoting public organizations’ performance. This paper contributes to my research by providing important aspects of organizational design and how they influence performance.
Daft, R. L. (2015). Organization Theory and Design. Cengage Learning.
This book offers valuable information on organizational theory and design by discussing the two concepts in detail, culminating in a comprehensive understanding of how organizational design is related to organizational theory. The author addresses various factors influencing organizational design’s effectiveness.
This includes a discussion of the internal and external factors that influence organizational design as well as internal design elements that are useful in enhancing the organizational performance. These include technology organization size and life cycle. It also covers innovative ways of managing dynamic processes such as innovation, change, ethical values, conflict and power among others. This is a rich information source that will be of great significance in my research.
Burton, R. M., Obel, B. & Håkonsson, D. D. (2015). Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
This book discusses the multi-contingency organizational design besides other aspects of organizational design and theory. In doing so, the authors identify two complementary problems involved in organizational design namely the partitioning of tasks and coordination of sub-unit tasks to enhance effective fit with the organizational goals.
In explaining the concept of organizational design, they approach it from a multi-contingency aspect and discuss five components namely the scope/goal, structure, strategy, processes, and people. This information provides a great understanding of organizational design and it can be established that by aligning these organizational design components, efficiency may be achieved. This book is highly valuable and will provide high-level information for reference in my research.
Hunter, S. D. (2015). Combining Theoretical Perspectives on the Organizational Structure-Performance Relationship. Journal of Organization Design, 4, 2, 24-37.
In this paper, Hunter (2015) focuses on the organizational structure by noting that it plays an important role in promoting organizational performance. The paper discusses theoretical aspects on the link between organizational structure and performance. Organization design elements are influenced by various factors including environmental conditions, task characteristics, strategic orientation, and relationships. This insinuates that organizational design determines how effective an organization is in creating an organizational performance. This research will add to my literature review by demonstrating the interrelationship between organizational design and performance.
McDonnell, J. M. (2015). The Role of Organizational Design in 21st Century Organizations: George Jetson and the Star Model. Journal of Transformative Innovation, 1 (1), 1-6.
As technological advancements continue to be witnessed in today’s world, business is likely to change significantly and it is this kind of changes that this article addresses through a discussion on the role played by organizational design in modern organizations. McDonnel points out that organizations must have a futuristic approach and this entails an inclusion of organizational designs that reflect strategic thinking. Organizational design is considered a way of achieving this by combining different strategies to meet today’s business environment challenges including management of people, processes, structure, and rewards. The research will add value to my research by providing valuable information on organizational design and how it impacts performance.
Junqueira, E. et al. (2016). The Effect of Strategic Choices and Management Control Systems on Organizational Performance. DOI: 10.1590/1808-057×201601890
In this research, Junqueira, et al. (2016) investigate generic strategic choices and how they affect the performance of organizations. In doing so, the concepts of organizational design and organizational theory emerge and it can be established that the strategic choice taken determine the outcome in reference to organizational performance. According to the research, the strategy adopted by the organization is influenced by the competitive forces and that the organizational design is highly instrumental in influencing performance. This source provides information about strategic design and will be useful in developing an understanding of how it influences performance in the development of my paper.
Chouikha, M. B. (2016). Organizational Design for Knowledge Management. New York: Wiley & Sons
Knowledge management is imperative in organizational design as it ensures that set strategies can be effectively implemented. This is articulately discussed by Choiuikha (2016) in his book on organizational design for knowledge management. The book addresses the relevance of knowledge by illustrating how organizations can anchor knowledge through individual skills, data and information, and how this can be elevated from individual to organizational learning. In this relation, knowledge transfer, knowledge acquisition and knowledge storage are considered key in enhancing organizational strategy and consequently the organizational performance. The impact of culture on knowledge management is also discussed. This book contains valuable information that will be instrumental in ensuring that my research is based on good foundations on organizational design and theory.
References
Aubry, M., & Brunet, M. (2016). Organizational Design in Public Administration: Categorization of Project Management Offices. Project Management Journal, 47(5), 107-129.
Burton, R. M., Obel, B. & Håkonsson, D. D. (2015). Organizational Design: A Step-by-StepApproach. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Capelle, R. G. (2017). Improving Organization Performance by Optimizing Organization Design. People & Strategy, 40(2), 26-31.
Chouikha, M. B. (2016). Organizational Design for Knowledge Management. New York: Wiley & Sons
Connor, A. (2015). Organizational Design that Really Works. Design Management Review, 26(3), 23-29. doi:10.1111/drev.10329
Daft, R. L. (2015). Organization Theory and Design. Cengage Learning.
Donaldson, L., & Joffe, G. (2014). FIT – the key to organizational design. Journal ofOrganization Design, 3(3), 38-45. doi:10.7146/jod.18424
Felin, T., & Powell, T. C. (2016). Designing Organizations for Dynamic Capabilities. California Management Review, 58(4), 78-96. doi:10.1525/cmr.2016.58.4.78
Hunter, S. D. (2015). Combining Theoretical Perspectives on the Organizational Structure-Performance Relationship. Journal of Organization Design, 4, 2, 24-37.
Junqueira, E. et al. (2016). The Effect of Strategic Choices and Management ControlSystems on Organizational Performance. DOI: 10.1590/1808-057×201601890
McDonnell, J. M. (2015). The Role of Organizational Design in 21st Century Organizations: George Jetson and the Star Model. Journal of Transformative Innovation, 1 (1), 1-6.
Mendoza-Walters, A., & Ivanov, S. (2016). Combining passion with planning: applying organizational theory to improve business operations in non-profit organizations. International Journal of Organizational Innovation, 9(2), 46-51.
Nissen, M. (2014). Organization Design for Dynamic Fit. Journal of Organization Design, 3(2), 30-42. doi:10.7146/jod.8196
Stea, D., Foss, K., & Foss, N. J. (2015). A Neglected Role for Organizational Design. Journal of Organization Design, 4(3), 3-17. doi:10.7146/jod.20434
Tarek, S., Wilberg, J., Tommelein, I. D., & Lindemann, U. (2016). Supporting the Design of competitive organizations. Journal of Modern Project Management, 4(2), 96-103. doi:10.19255/JMPM01109
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In this present era with various leadership approaches available, Leadership is an important individual trait that helps the people to become successful, personally and professionally. Development of the effective leadership abilities and skills assist the individuals in enhancing positive individual growth in the personal life as well as professional life. Effective adoption of justified and appropriate leadership style can build effective decision-making capabilities within an individual, which will help to become a successful leader shortly.
This is a vital fact to state that the consideration of the leadership capabilities can add effective value in the personal life of an individual. It will enhance an effective life experience, which can assist the particular individual to implement the experience and skills in near future in the decision making process. It is a process of development of successful and skilled leaders.
Most importantly, every individual needs to adopt adequate leadership skills to become successful in the professional career as adequate leadership approaches can help to get effective social recognition. Moreover, the implication of the appropriate leadership styles can also assist an individual to attract the followers within the society. This essay will provide an in-detailed discussion on how the course in leadership can add value to the life experience of the individuals as preparation for leadership.
Discussion
Leadership and ethics are directly related to each other. All the future professionals and present job seekers want to become a successful professional in the individual life. In this particular process, all the individuals need to adopt some particular leadership styles and approaches. It is acceptable that the adoption and application of the leadership approach always depend upon the behavioral traits and personality of the individuals.
It is true that the behavioral traits and personality of people used to differ from an individual to another individual (Long, 2016). However, the individuals can adopt different types of leadership styles, such as transformational leadership style, transactional leadership style, autocratic leadership style, laissez-faire leadership style, visionary leadership style, charismatic leadership style, democratic leadership style, etc.
This usually depends upon the personality traits of people. Every positive behavioral study indicates that the appropriate application of these leadership approaches actually can enhance positive organizational ethics and strong business ethics (Sekerka et al., 2014). Strong business ethics is important for the companies in this contemporary era to grow profitability and the leaders need to follow the ethical pathway to enhance sustainable career growth. Therefore, ethics is important for all the leaders and future job seekers.
Leadership Approaches: Case Study
The completion of course in leadership acts as a value added skill development process, which helps in the enhancement of adequate leadership approaches and outcome. An example of the leadership approach adopted by PepsiCo can be considered. The management of PepsiCo has adopted the transformational leadership approach in which the company management has maintained strong ethics across all the organizational departments (Ubah, 2016).
The coursework in leadership will help the future professionals to understand the value of the transformational leadership approach in maintaining ethics and will also help to become a successful professional. Overall, it is acceptable that the development of effective knowledge about leadership styles will assist in maintaining strong business and corporate ethics shortly.
Job Satisfaction and motivation of the employees also can be regarded as an important responsibility of the organizational leaders. A professional leadership course can assist the future professionals and job seekers to add value to the personal life experience. Hence, the development of knowledge regarding the characteristics and implications of the leadership approaches can assist the organizational management of the company to ensure positive sales growth of the organizations.
For example, the employees are the vital growth drivers of any company and the high-performance level of the employees helps the firms to improve the profitability and business growth. Therefore, the leaders of the organizational departments need to take care of the job satisfaction and motivation level, which will encourage the employees to do well within the organizational set-up.
Transformational leadership approach is an employee friendly approach, and the leaders of the contemporary era should try to implicate this particular leadership approach for the better workplace environment (Bayram & Dinc, 2015).
This transformational leadership style has a strong impact on the business growth and performance of a company. Hence, the professional course in the leadership management process can assist in the establishment of the effective knowledge level regarding leadership, which will help the individuals to become a successful leader (Oehlrich, 2016).
Knowledge management is also considered to be the vital element for the individuals to get success in the professional life. There are five important traits of an effective knowledge management process, such as seniority, enthusiasm, understanding, expertise, and approachability. These five important traits of the knowledge management process need to be developed by the individuals in this present era to become a successful professional. On the other hand, strategic leadership and knowledge management processes are strongly related to each other.
The effective leadership style application process can enhance the adequate knowledge management process (Snell, 2010). Value and respect for seniority helps in the development of the strong knowledge level. On the other hand, the level of understanding always enhances adequate knowledge management process. Moreover, the consideration of the enthusiasm regarding learning and development process enhances the knowledge management process.
The leaders in this contemporary era should also go for the approachability trait to present some strategies and ideas to important stakeholders of a company. This particular approach is also regarded as an essential part of the knowledge management approaches (Beaumont, 2010). Lastly, development of expertise and competency always assist an individual in enhancing the strong knowledge level.
Overall, the above mentioned five traits can be acquired by a future professional through the application of the appropriate leadership style. Also, this is also important to accept that the professional course in the leadership management activities will always help an individual to become a professional and successful leader shortly (Lussier, 2014).
It is also important to accept that leadership is an evolutionary approach. It has been identified since the old ages that the consideration of the different leadership approaches assists the individuals to deal with the challenges basis on the demand of the situations. This is an important aspect to state that the organizational leader in this contemporary era focuses on the application of the structural leadership approaches or the situational leadership approaches (Ardichvii & Yoon, 2014).
The consideration of the structural leadership approach is a traditional leadership approach, which helps the bureaucratic organizations to adopt the classical approach to follow a particular developed system. On the other hand, some of the companies in this contemporary era are also focused on the implementation of the situational leadership approaches. This situational leadership approach application process depends upon the demand of the specific situations.
Moreover, the organizational management used to adopt this leadership style in the crisis to overcome some particular challenges faced by the companies (Beugelsdijk, 2010). However, the application of all of these leadership styles, such as structural leadership and situational leadership approaches require practical knowledge and skills. Therefore, the future professionals need to go through the professional leadership course works to strengthen the value-added leadership skills and capabilities (Vugt et al., 2008).
However, the environmental factors are constantly changing for the leaders throughout the historical ages. In this contemporary era, the definition, characteristics, and traits of the leadership approaches have evolved significantly. This is an important aspect to state that the contemporary leaders are facing different types of the changes in the development process.
The current professionals are finding it highly difficult to develop the appropriate description, definition and theoretical approaches in the establishment of the leader development theory (O’Connell, 2014). Practicing and learning of the leadership approaches in this modern era should focus on the integration of increasing capacity for the behavioral and cognitive approaches.
This specific aspect needs to be learned and practiced by the contemporary and future professionals. Hence, the professional leadership course works can assist the future professionals to identify and overcome the dilemmas in the leader development theory (Rowley, 2010).
The application of the management and organizational theory can be considered here. According to the theoretical aspects of the management theory, the contemporary organizations are responsible for the maintenance of the effective workplace environment. Besides, the organizational leaders are also responsible for the meeting or achievement of the management objectives, which can enhance strong business ethics and sustainability (Keely, 2011).
Also, the contemporary leaders are also responsible for the implication of the organizational theory as it helps the organizational leaders to identify and assess the organizational culture as well as structure. The organizational leaders assess these aspects for a better implication of the strategies shortly.
It is acceptable that the contemporary job seekers should join the professional leadership management course to acquire the knowledge regarding the management and organizational theory, which will assist in the development of the high quality and conflict free workplace environment. Also, this is also essential for the modern day teachers to develop effective leadership approaches in the education service providing approaches (Morton, 2012).
It is acceptable that the modern day teachers need to adopt some important styles of leadership approaches, which will be different from each other concerning nature and characteristics. The educators need to adopt four important types of leadership styles, such as delegating, selling, telling and participating (Oyetunji, 2011).
The implication of these specific leadership styles will significantly depend upon the demand of the situation and behavioral as well as personality traits of the individuals. Overall, it is acceptable that the future professionals within the education industry need to adopt these types of leadership capabilities to become a successful professional.
Also, effective training and knowledge acquirement process regarding these leadership approaches is also important for the future professionals (Harzing, 2014). It is important to acknowledge that the motivational traits are changing within the society from a particular generation to another generation (Chen & Huang, 2011). Most importantly, the employees of professionals of the younger generation can believe in some specific traits.
On the other hand, the people of the elder generations within a particular society or an organizational institution used to believe in some other motivational traits. These traits can be different, and orientation of gender can be the major reason behind the differentiation (Harris, 2010).
Overall, this will be important to accept that the organizational leaders in this contemporary era should understand the gender gap and possible implemented traits to overcome the workplace conflicts to maintain a strong collaboration between the employees of different age group. Hence, the leaders need to go through professional leadership courses for the better value addition to personal experience to become a successful leader shortly (Murray, 2011).
Conclusion
It is identified from the discussion that the future professionals and the job seekers in this contemporary era needs to develop strong competency and knowledge level regarding the application of different types of leadership styles. There are different types of leadership styles, which can be applied by the leaders based on the demand of the situation and personality traits of leaders.
Overall, this is acceptable that the application of the justified leadership approaches can help a leader to strengthen organization ethics, improve workplace performance, ensure good knowledge management and enhance profitability. The professionals need to understand the value of the leadership, as leadership is responsible for the mentioned organizational benefits.
References
Ardichvii, A., & Yoon, W. S. (2014). “Designing Integrative Knowledge Management Systems: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Applications.” Advances in Developing Human Resources, 11(3), 307-320.
Bayram, H., & Dinc, S. (2015). Role of Transformational Leadership on Employee’s Job Satisfaction: the Case of Private Universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. European Researchers, 93(4), 270-281.
Beaumont, J. (2010). Knowledge management in a regional law firm: A worthwhile investment or time wasted? Business Information Review, 27(4), 227-232.
Beugelsdijk, S. (2010). “Strategic Human Resource Practices and Product Innovation.” Organization Studies, 29(8), 820-847.
Chen, C., & Huang, J. (2011). “Strategic human resource practices and innovation performance-The mediating role of knowledge management capacity.” 62(1), 104-114.
Harris, H. (2010). International HRM: Contemporary Issues. Stamford: Cengage Learning.
Harzing, A. Q. (2014). International HRM. London: Cambridge University Press.
Keely, T. (2011). HRM Practices. London: Kogan Page.
Long, J. (2016). Process Modelling Style. New York: Springer.
Lussier, N. R. (2014). Management Fundamentals. New York: Springer.
Morton, B. (2012). The Global HR Manager. London: Routledge.
Murray, A. (2011). Mind the gap: technology, millennial leadership, and the cross-generational workforce. The Australian Library Journal, 60(1), 54-64.
O’Connell, K. P. (2013). A simplified framework for 21st-century leader development. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 183-203.
Oehlrich, M. (2016). Organisation and Restructuring. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Oyetunji, O. C. (2011). Reorienting leadership styles for sustainable education. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, 13(2), 59-69.
Rowley, C. (2010). Human Resource and Operation Management. New York: Springer.
Sekerka, E. L., Comer, R. D., and Godwin, N. L. (2014). Positive Organizational Ethics: Cultivating and Sustaining Moral Performance. Journal of Business Ethics, 119(1), 435-444.
Snell, S. (2010). Managing Human Resources. New Jersey: Pearson.
Ubah, M. (2016). The Alphabet of Leadership. New Jersey: Pearson.
To what extent is our understanding of organizations and management over the last 100 years applicable to the 21st century?
The understanding of organizations and management over the last 100 years applies to the 21st Century. The organization is a group of people who have a structured management system that directs them to pursue a common objective (Scott, and Davis, 2015, p. 45).
Notably, within that period of 100 years, many people attempted to provide relevant knowledge that could improve efficiency in organizations and management process.
In conclusion, the knowledge acquired concerning organizations and management over the last 100 years has a great impact on the 21st century. In the past, the team was not complex like today where the firm has many department and activities.
Organizations and management Case Anlysis
The management adapted new methods to comply with new changes in a firm. Therefore, that understanding of organizations and management has helped the teams in the current century (Bohari, Hin, and Fuad, 2017, p. 56). Managers to allocate enough resources depending on the nature of goals set. Also, the use of new technological methods can help the firm to perform and compete effectively in the market.
Total Quality management is a plan that makes the management to be focused on customers and improvement of processes. SWOT analysis should be completed to provide enough knowledge concerning internal and external factors of a firm. The understanding of organizations and management should be the base of bringing change in the firm. Management needs such understanding to develop effective strategies that may improve the performance of a team.
References
Bohari, A.M., Hin, C.W. and Fuad, N., 2017. The competitiveness of halal food industry in Malaysia: A SWOT-ICT analysis. Geografia-Malaysian Journal of Society and Space, 9(1).
Ozguner, Z. and Ozguner, M., 2014. A managerial point of view on the relationship between of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s dual factor theory. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5(7).
Sallis, E., 2014. Total quality management in education. Routledge.
Sargeant, A. and Jay, E., 2014. Fundraising management: analysis, planning and practice. Routledge.
