Organizational Configurations by Henry Mintzberg
Basically, it’s the organization’s structure that makes difference in performance of various enterprises. It is due to this fact that many companies gain success with strict procedures and rigorous tight control systems whereas some other companies which follow the same process ends up with losses. Every successful organization today has understood that in order to incorporate and organize the key factors internally and externally, it is necessary to redesign the organization’s structure persistently.
Henry Mintzberg, famous management theorist was the one who introduced the Organizational Configurations framework which includes:
- Entrepreneurial organization
- Machine organization (Bureaucracy)
- Professional organization
- Diversified organization (Divisional)
- Innovative organization (Adhocracy)
- Missionary organization
The Entrepreneurial Organization is a simple type of flat structure organization. It comprises of a single big unit with few managers at top level. This organization is however unstructured and little informal in comparison to other types and is considered to be flexible due to its lack of standardized similar systems.
The Machine Organization (Bureaucracy) is known by its standardization. In this type of organization, it follows certain procedures and routines, also centralized decision making and formalized work are some of the traits.
The Divisional (Diversified) Organization is a type of structure that comes into existence when the organization possesses various distinct product lines and also business units. In this, a central headquarter is assigned the task to assist number of independent divisions which are responsible to make independent decision and possess unique structures. It can be seen in mature and big enterprises which have varied products and brands.
The Innovative Organization (Adhocracy) : All the types of structures discussed above are recommended more for traditional organizations, for new and modern organizations, some innovation is required to survive today. Thus, companies today need to perform on ad hoc basis. This type of structure can be seen in filmmaking, or in consulting etc.
The Missionary organization
In this type of structure, the work is generally monitored by whole of the organization as this makes everyone works with similar beliefs.
Written by: Matt
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Tagged as business units, centralized decision, distinct product lines, diversified organization, entrepreneurial organization, flat structure, gain success, henry mintzberg, independent decision, independent divisions, innovative organization, machine organization, management theorist, missionary organization, modern organizations, professional organization, similar systems, strict procedures, tight control, traditional organizations + Categorized as Economy articles, Ladership & Management