Organizational Analysis

Description

Working individually, you will complete an organizational analysis based on your current or previous work or membership experience. Once you have identified the organization that will serve as the subject of your analysis, you should begin to consider what OT-related problems or issues you experienced or observed that may be addressed or improved through the application of organizational theory concepts highlighted throughout the course. (Recall the fundamental differences between OB and OT here–we are not diving into personality differences or team work challenges–think “organization-level”, for example: process, policy, structure, culture.) The purpose of this assignment is to recognize how an understanding and application of organizational theory concepts and frameworks can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of any organization’s operation.

Part I: An Organizational Overview

1. A general description of the organization and its environment, including an overview of the state of the industry or sector in which it operates.

2. An evaluation of the organizational structure currently in place. Be sure to comment on configures and dimensions of organizational design.

3. A critical assessment of the organization’s stated mission and/or values.

4. An organizational chart; if an official organizational chart is not publicly available or easily identified, you should construct one based on your understanding of the organization. Be sure to explain your own position within the organization to provide context to your analysis.

Part II: How it all “Works” (or Doesn’t)

1. Are there clear goals that your organization and the various units within it are working to achieve?

2. How is effectiveness (or “success”) measured?

3. What are the most obvious sources of uncertainty in the organizational environment, and how is that uncertainty managed?

4. What are the key interorganizational relationships for your organization? How would you characterize the nature of those relationships?

5. Has your organization expanded its operations beyond its domestic market? If yes, identify what you identify as the most significant complications and benefits of that expansion. If no, what reasons may account for a lack of organizational expansion?

6. Where would you place your organization in terms of life cycle; what are the implications of this placement?

7. In your place of work, how would you characterize the organizational culture?

8. How would you describe the approach to change in your organization? What are the implications of that?

Part III: Your Analysis

Based on your previous analysis, articulate a few of the organizational theory-related challenges facing the organization?

1. What is the resulting problem/issue?

2. Who is most directly impacted, and to what extent?

3. Differentiate between the root of the problem or issue and the symptoms.

4. What are the organizational impacts of this problem/issue?

5. How does this problem/issue relate to the organization’s goals?

Be sure to clarify how the problem or issue under discussion is related to organizational theory themes that were considered throughout the term. You may identify one significant issue, or a series of smaller-scale concerns that are having a broader organizational impact; either approach will work.

Part IV: Recommendation(s)

An analysis of alternative course(s) of action that will help to resolve the identified problem/issue

· Based on your analysis and your reflection, what course(s) of action would you recommend to your organization’s leadership that would help to address the problems or issues you have previously noted.

Remember, your recommendation should be clearly linked to organizational theory literature we have explored this term.

Part V: A Final Reflection

As you conclude your analysis, please comment on whether or not you have developed a more critical appreciation for the way various events and experiences have shaped your organization, and more importantly, how you can apply this newly recognized perspective to contribute to the creation of more successful organizations in your own future.

connect your analysis to relevant OT concepts, theories, or frameworks that we have examined throughout the term.