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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the operating core in an organization?
What is the primary function of the operating core in an organization?
What is the role of the strategic apex in an organization?
What is the role of the strategic apex in an organization?
What is the primary means of coordination in a situation where an anesthesiologist and a surgeon meet in the operating room?
What is the primary means of coordination in a situation where an anesthesiologist and a surgeon meet in the operating room?
What is the role of training in standardization of skills?
What is the role of training in standardization of skills?
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What is the primary consequence of an organization specializing in one means of coordination?
What is the primary consequence of an organization specializing in one means of coordination?
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Study Notes
Mintzberg's Structural Framework
- Henry Mintzberg's framework examines organizational structure by dividing labor into tasks and achieving coordination among them.
- Five basic coordinating mechanisms are used to monitor and control work:
- Mutual adjustment (coordination through informal communication)
- Direct supervision (coordination through personal command)
- Standardization of work processes (specifying the contents of work)
- Standardization of outputs (specifying the results of work)
- Standardization of worker skills (providing indirect control of work)
Coordinating Mechanisms
- Mutual adjustment is necessary in simple and complex organizations and is achieved through informal discussion and adjustment.
- Direct supervision becomes more necessary as the size of an organization increases.
- Standardization of work processes is achieved by specifying or programming the contents of the work.
- Standardization of outputs is attained by specifying the results of the work.
- Standardization of skills provides indirect control of work by specifying the kind of training required.
Organization Structure
- Each organization specializes in one of the five coordinating mechanisms, which has important consequences for its basic structure.
- Mintzberg identifies five key parts of the organization:
- The operating core (those who perform basic work directly related to production)
- The strategic apex (top administrators responsible for ensuring the organization serves its mission)
- The middle line (administrators who connect the apex with the operating core)
- The technostructure (analysts who design and implement standardized processes)
- The support staff (those who provide indirect support to the organization)
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Description
Learn about Henry Mintzberg's framework for examining organizational structure, including the five basic coordinating mechanisms used to monitor and control work.
