Premium Essay

Mechanistic and Bureaucratic Organisations Will Probably Struggle to Encourage Organisational Learning. Critically Evaluate This Statement in Relation to the Mechanistic and Learning Perspectives.

In:

Submitted By jjjjooossh
Words 1956
Pages 8
To evaluate this statement we first need to define what the mechanistic and learning approach is. Then define exactly what organisational learning is and what impact the characteristics of the mechanistic approach will have on it.

The two approaches involve theories and models about the adaptability and the learning skills of organizations. Bureaucracies clearly lack these characteristics in comparison to other approaches.
The mechanistic approach operates the organisation in the same way a machine operates - efficient, specialised, reliable, predictable, logical and with no opinions (has no heart).
The model which refers to this approach would be the Taylor model (Taylorism - 21st century scientific management). Frederick Winslow Taylor was a mechanical engineer who strived to improve industrial efficiency. He was a pioneer in the field of scientific management. The Taylor model consists of 4 components. 'Division of labour' where responsibility is shifted from worker to manager. 'One best way' where the scientific methods determine the most efficient way to operate. 'Scientific selection and training' which means the best person is selected depending on experience and qualifications. They are trained to work as efficiently as possible. Finally, 'monitor performance' where operations and performance is observed and monitored through an organisational hierarchy and through supervision. This basic concept further developed into Fordism and finally into TQM.
The mechanistic approach works well when the task is clear and straightforward. A complex task may be difficult to adapt / change regularly to make it more efficient. It also works well when there is a stable environment with predictable demands from customers. It is also easier to apply the mechanistic approach to an organisation which produces the same thing over and over again with

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mechanistic and Bureaucratic Organisations Will Probably Struggle to Encourage Organisational Learning. Critically Evaluate This Statement in Relation to the Mechanistic and Learning Perspectives.

...Mechanistic and bureaucratic organisations will probably struggle to encourage organisational learning. Critically evaluate this statement in relation to the Mechanistic and Learning perspectives. Brocka and Brocka (1992, pg.2) suggests that organisations are “revolutionary compared to the strict, hierarchical, authoritarian organisations that existed in the past”. Mechanistic and bureaucratic organisations follow the same traits where the structure is needed for “efficiency, conformity and compliance” (Spencer, 1994, pg.448). The revolutionary aspect to organisations is shown by introducing learning into the organisation promoting the development for “searching for information, assimilating, developing and creating new knowledge on product, processes, and services” Wang and Ellinger (2011, pg.512). According to Sun and Scott (2003 pg.202) “the terminologies organizational learning and learning organization were once used interchangeably. However, in the mid-1990s there was a bifurcation into two streams” for the purpose of this assignment the terms learning organisation and organisational learning will be used on an interchangeable purpose. This assignment will show a clear definition of mechanistic, bureaucratic and organisational learning structures of organisations. By using my personal experience, examples and the use of case studies, then linking to relevant theories an argument will be made whether mechanistic and bureaucratic organisations struggle to encourage organisational...

Words: 2759 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Organisational Analysis

...Essay The purpose of this essay is to critically evaluate the statement “Mechanistic and bureaucratic organisations will probably struggle to encourage organisational learning”. I will approach this statement by highlighting my main argument then providing four key points which will reinforce said statement. I understand of this question that encouraged to be defined as “To give support” in the sense of designing policies to encourage organisational learning. With this in mind main argument for this statement is mechanistic organisations wouldn’t struggle to encourage organisational learning however scope for learning will be limited due to employee behaviours and management styles and in order to enable full capacity within organisation learning a shit would be required away from the mechanist approach. First of all I believe it would be simple for burecratic organisations to encourage organisational learning due to the Strict hierarchy, rules and regulations and power in position slides which exists combined with employee’s to have strong compliance to manager commands, processes and rulers and regulations (Max Weber). I believe if managers were to enforce forms of organisational learning such as group work, single and double loop learning (Agyris & Schon, 1978), Kolbs learning cycle (Kolb, 1984) employees would follow procedures due to the high controlling authairitive relationship which exists between employees and managers. An example of this would be when working...

Words: 2152 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Management in Organization

...Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business Administration / Public Administration CEMBA 553 Management in Organisations Copyright © Commonwealth of Learning, 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this course may be reproduced in any form by any means without prior permission in writing from: The Commonwealth of Learning 1285 West Broadway Suite 600 Vancouver, BC V6H 3X8 CANADA e-mail: info@col.org Dean Institute of Distance Learning New Library Building Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana Phone: +233-51-60013 Fax: +233-51-60014 E-mail: idldean@kvcit.org Web: www.fdlknust.edu.gh i 553 - Management in Organisations Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to: • • • • Explain the basic premises of management and public administration Compare different theories and approaches of organisation Distinguish behavioural patterns, advantages, disadvantages, and dysfunctions of bureaucracies Categorize the different management trends in the work environment. Topics • Introduction to Management and Organisational Behaviour • Individual and Group Behaviour in Organisations • Decision- making and Communications in Organisations • Leadership, Organisational Structure & Environment • Power and Politics • Organisational Culture • Organisational Change • Conflict and Negotiations ii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction................................................................................

Words: 79671 - Pages: 319

Premium Essay

Change Management

....................................... 12 Some Basic Concepts and Definitions ................................................................. 15 Transactional Vs. Transformational Leadership .................................................. 18 Theories of Change in Organisations................................................................... 21 Life Cycle Theory ................................................................................................ 22 Teleological Theories of Change ......................................................................... 25 Dialectical Theories of Change............................................................................ 27 A Dialectical Approach to Organisational Strategy and Planning ....................... 29 Limitation of Dialectics; DA and DI.................................................................... 31 Theories of Change in Organisations................................................................... 33 Application of Evolutionary Theory .................................................................... 35 Further Application of Evolutionary Theories..................................................... 36 Greiner’s Model of Organisational Evolution and Revolution...

Words: 62404 - Pages: 250

Free Essay

Management

...SDO Project (08/1501/94) Changing Management Cultures and Organisational Performance in the NHS (OC2) Research Report Produced for the National Institute for Health Research Service Delivery and Organisation programme April 2010 prepared by: Russell Mannion (University of Birmingham), Huw Davies (University of Dundee & St Andrews), Stephen Harrison (University of Manchester), Frederick Konteh (University of York), Ian Greener (University of Durham), Ruth McDonald (University of Nottingham), George Dowswell (University of Birmingham), Kieran Walshe (University of Manchester), Naomi Fulop (King’s College, London), Rhiannon Walters (King’s College, London), Rowena Jacobs (University of York), Paula Hyde (University of Manchester) Address for correspondence: Professor Russell Mannion Health Services Management Centre University of Birmingham Park House 40 Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2RT  Queen’s Printer and Controller of HMSO 2010 1 SDO Project (08/1501/94) Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................8 1 Introduction .......................................................9 1.1 Aims and objectives of the study ..................................... 9 1.2 Research design and project overview .............................10 1.3 Structure of the report ..................................................11 2 Policy and Organisational Culture in the NHS: An Overview ..........................................................

Words: 92083 - Pages: 369

Premium Essay

Finance

...Strategic Management Patricia Murtagh The University of Sunderland © 2014 The University of Sunderland First published January 2014, revised February 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without permission of the copyright owner. While every effort has been made to ensure that references to websites are correct at time of going to press, the world wide web is a constantly changing environment and the University of Sunderland cannot accept any responsibility for any changes to addresses. The University of Sunderland acknowledges product, service and company names referred to in this publication, many of which are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks. All materials internally quality assessed by the University of Sunderland and reviewed by academics external to the University. Instructional design and publishing project management by Wordhouse Ltd, Reading, UK Copyright © 2014 University of Sunderland ii Contents vi Introduction Unit 1 1 2 5 7 Concepts, models and theories 20 Introduction 2.1 A comparison of concepts, models and theories relating to competitive advantage 2.2 An evaluation of concepts, models and theories relating to strategic choice Case Study: Ciba Vision 2.3 Concepts, models and theories relating to strategic evaluation Case Study: The University of Exeter...

Words: 89385 - Pages: 358

Premium Essay

Researching and Writing

...edition . Researching and Writing a Dissertation: A Guidebook for Business Students . We work with leading authors to develop the strongest educational materials in management, bringing cutting-edge thinking and best learning practice to a global market. Under a range of well-known imprints, including Financial Times Prentice Hall, we craft high-quality print and electronic publications which help readers to understand and apply their content, whether studying or at work. To find out more about the complete range of our publishing, please visit us on the World Wide Web at: www.pearsoned.co.uk . Researching and Writing a Dissertation: A Guidebook for Business Students Second edition Colin Fisher with John Buglear Diannah Lowry Alistair Mutch Carole Tansley . Pearson Education Limited Edinburgh Gate Harlow Essex CM20 2JE England and Associated Companies throughout the world Visit us on the World Wide Web at: www.pearsoned.co.uk First published 2004 Second edition 2007 © Pearson Education Limited 2004 © Pearson Education Limited 2007 The right of Colin Fisher to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without either the prior written permission of the publisher or...

Words: 142971 - Pages: 572

Premium Essay

Quality Managment

...ISBN 978‐9948‐03‐638‐8  Q uality Congress   Middle East 2 Dubai (7-9 April, 2008) Creating an Architecture of Quality and Excellence in the Middle East:  Responsibilities, Challenges and Strategies        Proceedings of Congress     Edited by  Najwa Sami Dham  &  Syed Aziz Anwar        e‐TQM College  P.O. Box 71400  Dubai  United Arab Emirates     (1) ISBN 978‐9948‐03‐638‐8  Table of Contents   Foreword ___________________________________________________________________ 6 Professor Mohamed Zairi, Chairman, Quality Congress Middle East 2 ______________________ 6 Research Papers ______________________________________________________________ 7 TQM and its Implementation in Higher Education of Iran _________________________ S.A. Siadat _____________________________________________________________________ M. Mokhtaripour _________________________________________________________________ R. Hoveida _____________________________________________________________________ 8 8 8 8 Quality: From Where to Where? ___________________________________________ 12 Alan Brown ___________________________________________________________________ 12 The Impact of Educational Quality Models on Schools’ Performance in Dubai ________ 20 Kalthoom Al Balooshi ____________________________________________________________ 20 Wafi Dawood __________________________________________________________________ 20 Management Education and Development in the United Kingdom _________________...

Words: 137918 - Pages: 552

Premium Essay

Fundamental of Strategy

...gerry JoHnson KeVan sCHoles rICHard WHIttIngton Fundamentals oF strategy ACCESS CODE INSIDE unlock valuable online learning resources Once opened this pack cannot be returned for a refund Welcome to FUNDAMENTALS OF STRATEGY Strategy is a fascinating subject. It’s about the overall direction of all kinds of organisations, from multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups, from charities to government agencies, and many more. Strategy raises the big questions about these organisations – how they grow, how they innovate and how they change. As a manager of today or of tomorrow, you will be involved in influencing, implementing or communicating these strategies. Our aim in writing Fundamentals of Strategy is to give you a clear understanding of the fundamental issues and techniques of strategy, and to help you get a great final result in your course. Here’s how you might make the most of the text: ● Focus your time and attention on the fundamental areas of strategy in just 10 carefully selected chapters. Read the illustrations and the case examples to clarify your understanding of how the concepts of strategy translate into an easily recognisable, real-world context. Follow up on the recommended readings at the end of each chapter. They’re specially selected as accessible and valuable sources that will enhance your learning and give you an extra edge in your course work. KEY CONCEPT AUDIO SUMMARY ● ● Also, look out for the Key Concepts and Audio Summary icons...

Words: 129967 - Pages: 520

Premium Essay

Principal & Practice of Management

...INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF MANAGEMENT ( IIBM - B101 ) www.iibmindia.in www.iibmonline.com Distance Learning Education, IIBM Institute of Business Management The ultimate vision of this Institute is to ensure that all working executives and each young manager must possess the requisite research-oriented-business-acumen and the competitive managerial excellence in successfully tackling the new emerging management-related-problems of the country in the changing global scenario. Individuals who look upon education as a continuing activity and wish to enhance their knowledge in an existing discipline or acquire proficiency in a new area are sure to benefit from the offered Programs. Distance Education is an attempt to make education accessible beyond the close confines of a classroom and to make it available to those who aspire and endeavor. The pedagogy used is interactive with cutting-edge techniques and innovation. This has gone long way to strengthen skills and expertise students to meet much-needed requirement of management students; in industry or society. The Institute pioneered and offers more than 40 programs in the field of Management, Computer, Six Sigma and SAP Training certification courses. We emphasis on imparting education to various genres of the society, right from Students to Professionals and Housewives to Businessmen. At IIBM we deal in keeping this flow up and building the management...

Words: 125380 - Pages: 502

Premium Essay

Psychological Assessment

...How can I as an educator and Professional Development Manager working with teachers, support and enhance the learning and achievement of pupils in a whole school improvement process? Submitted by Michael Anthony Bosher For The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Bath 2001 May 2002 Vol 1.1 Copyright ‘Attention is drawn to the fact that copyright of this thesis rests with the author. This copy of the thesis has been supplied on condition that anyone who consults it is understood to recognise that its copyright rests with its author and that no quotation from the thesis and no information derived from it may be published without the prior written consent of the author’. This thesis may be made available for consultation within the University Library and may be photocopied or lent to other libraries for the purposes of consultation. …………………………… Contents Tables and Figures 2 Acknowledgements 3 Abstract 4 Preface 5 Introduction 13 Chapter 1 A Cultural Context 18 Chapter 2 An Autobiography 25 Chapter 3 Methodology 40 Chapter 4 The School's Action Research Cycles 89 Chapter 5 School Effectiveness and School Improvement 107 Chapter 6 Vignette 1 Alan Shelton a Teacher 'Par Excellence' 120 Chapter 7 Some More Vignettes 158 Chapter 8 A Personal Development Review 184 Chapter 9 The Circle is Completed 190 References ...

Words: 170109 - Pages: 681

Premium Essay

Organizational Behaviour

...This page intentionally left blank Copyright © 2007, New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers Published by New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, microfilm, xerography, or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher. All inquiries should be emailed to rights@newagepublishers.com ISBN (13) : 978-81-224-2487-4 PUBLISHING FOR ONE WORLD NEW AGE INTERNATIONAL (P) LIMITED, PUBLISHERS 4835/24, Ansari Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi - 110002 Visit us at www.newagepublishers.com CONTENTS xvii Dedicated to My Parents Shri Gopalrao and Gayabai Kondalkar This page intentionally left blank Preface Globalisation, technology advancement, open market system and desire of human beings to excel in the field one works has increased competitiveness and resultant work stress. Management of human behaviour and chanalizing it into correct direction has become important. Application of motivational theories, art of leadership and skill of redesigning jobs and modification to organisational structure is an on going process that facilitates positive work environment leading to increased job satisfaction of employees, greater productivity and organizational growth. Due to scientific advancement managing human resources is more challenging. It has been observed that everybody...

Words: 149242 - Pages: 597

Premium Essay

Study Habits

...Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley, Joanne Duberley and Phil Johnson . This book is, to my knowledge, the most comprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work that today qualify as constituting the subject of organisational theory. Whilst their writing is accessible and engaging, their approach is scholarly and serious. It is so easy for students (and indeed others who should know better) to trivialize this very problematic and challenging subject. This is not the case with the present book. This is a book that deserves to achieve a wide readership. Professor Stephen Ackroyd, Lancaster University, UK This new textbook usefully situates organization theory within the scholarly debates on modernism and postmodernism, and provides an advanced introduction to the heterogeneous study of organizations, including chapters on phenomenology, critical theory and psychoanalysis. Like all good textbooks, the book is accessible, well researched and readers are encouraged to view chapters as a starting point for getting to grips with the field of organization theory. Dr Martin Brigham, Lancaster University, UK McAuley et al. provide a highly readable account of ideas, perspectives and practices...

Words: 230271 - Pages: 922

Premium Essay

Something

...Turbulent Era, Edited by Demetris Vrontis and Alkis Thrassou This book first published 2013 Cambridge Scholars Publishing 12 Back Chapman Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 2XX, UK British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Copyright © 2013 by Demetris Vrontis and Alkis Thrassou and contributors All rights for this book reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN (10): 1-4438-4604-X, ISBN (13): 978-1-4438-4604-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One ................................................................................................. 1 Knowledge Hybridization: An Innovative Business Practices to Overcome the Limits of the Top-Down Transfers within a Multinational Corporation Hela Chebbi, Dorra Yahiaoui, Demetris Vrontis and Alkis Thrassou Chapter Two .............................................................................................. 17 Rethinking Talent Management in Organizations: Towards a Boundary-less Model Carrie Foster, Neil Moore and Peter Stokes Chapter Three ............................................................................................ 42 Solidarity as a “Commons” to be Promoted: Organisation of Collective Action for a More Responsible Management ...

Words: 128975 - Pages: 516

Premium Essay

Business Management

...2015 MARTIN CONFERENCE CENTER HARVARD UNIVERSITY BOSTON, MA USA Teaching, Learning, and Research in the “Just Google It” Age CONFERENCE PROCEEDING VOL. 5, NO.1 ISSN: 2330-1236 Table of Contents Authors Paper Title Page Maryam Abdu Investigating Capital Structure Decisions and Its Effect on the Nigerian Capital Market 1 Norsuhaily Abu Bakar Rahimah Embong Ibrahim Mamat Ruzilawati Abu Bakar Idris Abd. Hamid Holistically Integraded Curriculum: Implications for Personality Development 16 Sandra Ajaps Geography Education in the Google age: A Case Study of Nsukka Local Government Area of Nigeria 30 Helen Afang Andow Impact of Banking Reforms on Service Delivery in the Nigerian Banking Sector 45 Billy Batlegang Green IT Curriculum: A Mechanism For Sustainable Development 59 Rozeta Biçaku-Çekrezi Student Perception of Classroom Management and Productive Techniques in Teaching 74 Thomas J.P.Brady Developing Digital Literacy in Teachers and Students 91 Lorenzo Cherubini Ontario (Canada) Education Provincial Policy: Aboriginal Student Learning 101 Jennifer Dahmen Natascha Compes Just Google It?! But at What Price? Teaching Pro-Environmental Behaviour for Smart and Energy-Efficient Use of Information and Communication Technologies 119 Marion Engin Senem Donanci Using iPads in a dialogic classroom: Mutually exclusive or naturally compatible? 132 Nahed Ghazzoul Teaching and Learning in the Age of 'Just Google it' 149 Saba A. Gheni Falah H. Hussein Teaching...

Words: 236613 - Pages: 947