Mechanistic Versus Organic

Write a research paper about mechanistic organizational structure and organic organizational structure in which you address environmental considerations and changes and compare and contrast the two types of structure in terms of their differences and their application to the current environment.

Introduction

It is useful to focus on the importance of designing organizations that are flexible and responsive in the hyper-competitive and rapidly changing global marketplace of today. Because of the nature of today’s environment, it is absolutely critical that organizations be flexible, adaptable to change, and completely focused on the customer. This requires that they are able to completely reinvent themselves as necessary. It can literally mean the difference between success and failure.

What do we mean when we talk about mechanistic and organic organizational structure? How do these types of structures influence organizational performance and the ability of an organization to learn and adapt to changes in the environment? Is one type preferable over the other?

Complete the following:

• Briefly define mechanistic organizational structure and organic organizational structure.
• Compare and contrast the main differences between the two types of organizational structure.
• Explain how environmental changes translate into mechanistic versus organic organizational structure.
• Describe how the current environment is changing and where you see it heading.
• Compare how mechanistic organizations handle the turbulence of hyper-change and hyper-competition versus how organic organizations address the same issues.
• Explain which type of organizational structure you feel is more applicable to the current local and global environment, and why.

To successfully complete this assessment, you will need to conduct some research into mechanistic and organic organizational structure. You should format this assessment as a research paper following current APA guidelines for style and citing sources, making sure that you also use correct grammar and mechanics. There is no required minimum or maximum page length; however, you should strive to be as detailed as possible in addressing each bullet point, while also being as clear and concise as possible.

Please note: The term environment is used throughout this course to mean all of the external factors that affect an organization. These include, but are not limited to, the overall global market, the industry as a whole, and the financial market.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 1: Analyze historical perspectives of the study of organizational structure and design and its applications in today’s world.
  • Define mechanistic and organic organizational structure.
  • Compare and contrast the differences between mechanistic and organic organizational structure.
  • Explain how environmental changes translate into mechanistic versus organic organizational structure.
  • Describe current and future changes in the local and global environment.
  • Compare mechanistic and organic organizations in terms of how each handle hyper-change and hyper-competition.
  • Explain the organizational structure that is most applicable to the current local and global environment.