LOC 211 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Technostructure, Loose Coupling, Adhocracy

• School: Northwestern University
• Department: Learning and Organizational Change
• Course: LOC 211
• Professor: Douthit

Document Summary

Reorganizing/restructuring is a powerful but high-risk approach to improvement. Greater complexity > more costly and sophisticated coordination strategies. When roles and activities overlap, conflict and wasted effort result. With too little to do, employees get bored. Mcdonalds employees need to follow a set structure, whereas airplane employees may need to answer a variety of questions. Operating core - workers who produce or provide products or services to customers or clients. Administrative component - managers who supervise, coordinate, control, and provide resources for the operators. Technostructure - house specialists, technicians, and analysts who standardize, measure, and inspect outputs and procedures. Support staff - support or facilitate the work of others in the organization. Simple structure: strategic apex (top management) and operating level. Members of the strategic apex make the big decisions (ex. Tension between local managers and hq - sometimes advice coming from the top doesn"t always suit everyone on the bottom.