Mechanistic and organic organisational structures

4 important questions on Mechanistic and organic organisational structures

What is the difference between a mechanistic structure and an organic structure? What choices define the structures?

Mechanistic: Designed for people to behave in predictable way
  • Individual specialisation
    • Employees work separately
  • Simple integrating mechanisms
    • Hierarchy of authority
  • Centralisation
  • Standardisation
    • Work process is predictable
Organic: Promotes flexibility to quick adaption to changes
  • Joint specialisation
    • Employees work together
  • Complex integrating mechanisms
    • Task forces and teams
  • Decentralisation
  • Mutual adjustment
    • Work process is unpredictable

How should an organisation decide the organisational design according to the contingency approach?

The sources of uncertainty the organisation faces. The organisation has to design accordingly to the environment it operates in.
Design internal structure to control the external environment 

What did Lawrence and Lorsch find out about organisational structure and the external environment an organisation operates in?

Unstable environment -> More flexibility (Organic)
Stable environment -> Little need for change (Mechanistic)

Organisations must adapt their structures to match the environment in which they operate if they want to be effective.
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What did Burn and Stalker find out about organic and mechanistic structures in relation to the environment and their effectiveness?

Organic structures are more effective in unstable environments than companies with mechanistic structure.
  • Need for quick decision making

Mechanistic structures are more effective in a stable environment.
  • No need for complex decision making systems

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