Management Essay, Research Paper
Various theories in management take the view that organisations are in a constant struggle with the environment. This essay will examine three theories in seeking to determine whether this widely held view is demonstrated in these theories. It will examine population ecology theory, systems theory, and contingency theory, firstly defining what each is and then second relating the various theories to the environment.
Population ecology takes the view that the environment is dominant, and organisations are in a constant struggle with it. Population ecology builds on Darwin s theory that allows for the variation, selection, retention, and modification of species of organisations. This theory assumes the environment is determining, environmental resources are limited, and competition is inevitable. Charles Darwin s nineteenth century writings have become synonomous with this theory. His writings emphasise the survival of the fittest and the demise of the weaker, with races getting stronger and leaving their weaker elements behind. Because of the fact that resources are non-renewable , organisations remain in constant state of struggle both with the environment and with other organisations. Survival is assumed to be the main, all-important organisation goal. This ignores the fact that certain organisations, such as ASH or the Red Cross, would in fact like to die if they were able to. Thus under this theory the environment is the critical indicator in determining which organisations succeed and which fail, selecting the most robust competitors through elimination of the weaker ones. (Morgan, 1986). Because of the critical assumption that the environment is determining, population ecology has been described at too deterministic, one sided, and not applicable to certain organisations. However, it still is an important theory in organisation theory that demonstrates how organisations are in conflict and struggle with the environment.
Population ecology compares the evolutionary trends of whole populations. This is because when the environment changes or new species makes inroads on resource niche of another, the change is reflected in the population structure. This is because species tend to share similar strengths and weaknesses, meaning it is the whole species, and not the individual that will survive or fail. Thus, although individuals may be stronger than others, in the long run they will tend to share the fate of their population in the long run. A good example of this is typewriter repairers. Because of the typewriter becoming obsolete from the personal computer, all the population suffered and were at the mercy of the environment. It mattered little about the quality of managers or the strategy they employed; the environment was simply too strong. It is clear that population ecology places high emphasis on organisations struggle with the environment.
Contingency theory emphasises that no best, universal structure exists. The appropriate form depends on the kind of task or environment with which one is dealing. Contingency approach emphasises the need for flexibility in dealing with the large numbers of variables in the environment. Because there is no best way of organising, the environment is crucial in determining an appropriate form. Also, different types or species of organisations are needed in different types of environments. Thus, under this theory organisations remain in struggles with the environment as they try to maintain an appropriate form.
Contingency recognises the inevitability of change in the environment. It sees that there are five main species of organisation: machine bureaucracy, divisionalised form, professional bureaucracy, simple structure, and adhocracy. This theory recognises that adhocracy and the simple structure are better equipped to deal with change and act fast. Due to low levels of complexity and high decentralisation, this theory places these organisations as better equipped to cope with the struggles of the environment. Thus, in many industries the key to survival is adaptability and the realisation that innovation is essential. Jobs must be allowed to shape themselves, people encouraged to find their role, and define their contribution to the organisation. Although in relatively stable environments, conventional bureaucratic organisations with defined heirarchy and rules worked well, contingency theory states that in modern times change has become too rapid for these organisations to keep up. This is evidenced by the move by many large organisations such as Xerox to create small companies and independent work group to quickly adapt to the changing environment. As the organisational environment has become more complex and turbulent, even more different types of organisations have emerged. Handy identifies shamrock and federal organisations, Quinn talks about cluster organisations, and there is the well known matrix organisation.
Systems theory builds on the principle that organisations, like organisms, are open to the environment, and must seek to build an appropriate relationship with the environment if they are to survive. Early systems theory developed as a biological metaphor in disguise. The open-systems approach places emphasis on environment in which organisations exist. It suggests organisations should plan and organise with the environment firmly in mind. Environment and system are to be understood to be in a state of interaction and mutual dependence. (p.40)Principles such as Homeostasis, entropy and negative entropy, equifinality, requisite variety and other commonly used biological principles can be used in analysis of organisations as systems. Thus open-systems stress importance of being able to scan and sense changes in task and contextual environments, firmly placing them in struggles with the environment.
System theory also seeks to analyse an organisation in terms of its internal subsystems. Individuals belong to small departments that belong to larger organisational divisions. The final aspect seeks to focus on alignments between subsystems and solve possible dysfunctions. Collectively, these aspects of systems theory allow organisations to organise in ways that meet the requirements of the environment.
The view that Organisations are always in a struggle with their environment seems aptly suited to these three theories. Systems theory, population ecology, and contingency theory all place considerable emphasis on the environment, and clearly demonstrate that organisations will never be able to master the environment. Thus, they will be in a constant struggle with the environment as they are forced to adapt, change, and manage critical areas in organisations.
Другие работы по теме:
Cover Letter Essay Research Paper To whom
Cover Letter Essay, Research Paper To whom it may concern: I am writing to you because I am interest in a Software Engineer position. I heard about your opening through the career department at George Mason University. This position fits with my major, experience, and career interest.
Darwin Essay Research Paper Darwin
Darwin Essay, Research Paper Darwin’s theories and beliefs of his time caused a huge uproar among masses of people who knew of them. Even his scientist colleagues did not like the way some of his theories contradict beliefs in the Bible. One of the major theories that started it all was that of Natural Selection.
Communication Climate Essay Research Paper I have
Communication Climate Essay, Research Paper I have found that the communication climate at the company I have worked for the last seven years is a combination of bureaucratic, human and system theories.
Time Management Essay Research Paper Time management
Time Management Essay, Research Paper Time management. It can help you put events in perspective, avoid double or overlapped appointments, prioritize your schedule, and keep you on track. It works for school as well as other parts of your life like work and friends/family.
Personality Essay Research Paper Freud Piaget Erikson
Personality Essay, Research Paper Freud, Piaget, Erikson, and Maslow are the last name of prominent psychologists. They have all gone to great lengths to develop their own unique theories. The theories that they have created, pertaining to personality, happen to be the four best-known theories of personality growth.
Multi Strand Science Essay Research Paper NAME
Multi Strand Science Essay, Research Paper NAME: DUE DATE: YEAR 12 MULTI-STRAND SCIENCE Choose ONE of the following local industries and prepare a resource management case study for that industry.
Elements Of Personality Essay Research Paper Theories
Elements Of Personality Essay, Research Paper Theories of Personality: (The Elements of Personality. Pp.40-42) The personality others are presented with is composed of our words and our actions. Yet our words and actions are, or can be, consciously chosen. We decide what we’ll say, and what we’ll do. The construction of a personality is simply selecting an action while considering the impression it will make.
Crimonology Essay Research Paper If you look
Crimonology Essay, Research Paper If you look up the word criminology in the dictionary it would be defined as a scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon. Social phenomenon? Say what?
Positivism Essay Research Paper PositivismPositivism is the
Positivism Essay, Research Paper Positivism Positivism is the belief that “scientific naturalism” is the foundation of knowledge and truth. Leszek Kolakowski wrote “Positivism is a normative attitude, regulating how we are to use such terms as knowledge , science , cognition , and information . Positivism rejects the theories of theology and metaphysics because they don t have proof that they are true.
Case Study Essay Research Paper Twill Enterprises
Case Study Essay, Research Paper Twill Enterprises Limited is a successful printing and packaging company based in Toronto, Ontario. Recently the company has been plagued with many problems. One of the main problems that the company faces is its inability to change the management structure in the midst of growth.
Henry Foyal Essay Research Paper Henry Fayol
Henry Foyal Essay, Research Paper Henry Fayol’s Principal of management Fayol was a key figure in the turn-of-the-century Classical School of management theory. He saw a manager’s job as:
Counselors Essay Research Paper Counselors
Counselors Essay, Research Paper Counselors Clients often come to counselors to change their lives in some way, such as to become more assertive. As likely, clients seek counseling as a result of
Deviance Essay Research Paper Theories of Deviant
Deviance Essay, Research Paper Theories of Deviant Behavior examines various theories and perspectives on conforming and deviant behavior which are products of Western scholarly thought: anomie, functionalism, social disorganization, social conflict, social control, psychoanalysis, status politics, differential association, labeling theory, etc.
Metaphysics Essay Research Paper METAPHYSICSTHEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
Metaphysics Essay, Research Paper METAPHYSICS THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE AND BEYOND The complex knowledge of metaphysics ? once comprehended ? is capable of helping an individual reach self-realization. Aristotle, a renowned man of thinking, conjured metaphysics to help understand the theories of intelligence – - it?s core of existence and where it comes from, truth, and cause.
Juvenile Justice Essay Research Paper There are
Juvenile Justice Essay, Research Paper There are many theories of why juveniles become delinquent. Some theories that relate to Gloria are the Biosocial, Choice, Psychological, Social Structure Theories. The first theory that can apply to Gloria is neurological a Biosocial theory. This states that juveniles become delinquent due to learning disabilities such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
Pluralism Essay Research Paper PLURALISM AS THE
Pluralism Essay, Research Paper PLURALISM AS THE MOST DESCRIPTIVE THEORY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENTThere are several different theories as to the question of how America is governed. Thereare those who still espouse the civics book theory, in which the individual is representedby his vote; those who advocate various elitist theories, claiming that we as individualshave no voice, and are merely pawns in some larger game, and there are those others whosupport what is known as the pluralist theory.
IMPROVING DOCUMENT PRODUCTIVITY Essay Research Paper IMPROVING
IMPROVING DOCUMENT PRODUCTIVITY Essay, Research Paper IMPROVING DOCUMENT PRODUCTIVITY My plan for improving my productivity in producing documents is to focus on time management and on work organization. If you can improve both of these factors, my overall productivity will be significantly higher.
Conflict Management Essay Research Paper In the
Conflict Management Essay, Research Paper In the dictionary conflict is defined as a struggle, a battle, even mutual antagonism. Some people seem to thrive on creating conflict while others do their best to avoid conflict.
Womens Brains Essay Research Paper English 104Essay
Womens Brains Essay, Research Paper English 104 Essay This is a brief summary of the essay “Women’s Brains” by Stephen Jay Gould, published in The Panda’s Thumb in 1980. Gould feals that the study of this is irrelevant to the field that they are studying and that the experiments should not have been conducted.
Social Role Essay Research Paper About Its
Social Role Essay, Research Paper About Its Social Role Waxing eloquent about stakeholder management and corporate social responsibility is in some circles the surest way to stifle a business conversation, if not a business career. Corporate philanthropy brings satisfaction to those who give and receive, the argument goes, but let us not get carried away by talk of give-aways.
Dreams Essay Research Paper DREAMSDreams are an
Dreams Essay, Research Paper DREAMS Dreams are an essential part of our lives. It is the most important part of the sleep that people need in order to function. In order to understand dreams, one must understand the importance and function of dreams and the different theories surrounding dreams. I have several thoughts and opinions on the widely popularized theories, as well as well as ideas of my own.
Infinity Essay Research Paper The concept of
Infinity Essay, Research Paper The concept of infinity has been evaluated many times throughout history. Only recently, in the nineteenth century, has major progress evolved in the field. The chapter “Beyond Infinity” answers the questions, “what is mathematics and why should I study it?” by reviewing several mathematician’s theories of infinity.
Unmanaged Heart Essay Research Paper Can a
Unmanaged Heart Essay, Research Paper Can a person?s heart be controlled? Do all people go have some form of emotional management or emotional labor in their lives? In the book, The Managed
Functions Of Management Essay Research Paper Functions
Functions Of Management Essay, Research Paper Functions Of Management In today s business world managers follow certain rules that help them be better at their job and also contribute to the success of the business. The functions of management are established to help managers see the business operations with more clarity and understanding.
Classroom Management Essay Research Paper Philosophy Of
Classroom Management Essay, Research Paper Philosophy Of Classroom Management I believe that a good classroom management system is essential for any teacher who wishes to have a productive learning environment in their classroom. It is my goal to have a well managed classroom. I want to establish a productive working environment that allows student involvement and cooperation in all classroom activities.
Big Bang Essay Research Paper Before The
Big Bang Essay, Research Paper Before The Big Bang Every since scientists came up with an idea of how the universe started and was created, through the Big Bang, there has always been discussion and questioning on what the universe was, before it was created. Was there nothing because there was no time and no God, or was there something we haven t discovered yet.
Principles Of Management Essay Research Paper Management
Principles Of Management Essay, Research Paper Management is a set of activities directed at an organization’s resources with the aim of achieving organizational goals in an efficient and effective manner. The first function of management is planning and decision making. Planning is setting and organization’s goals and deciding how best to achieve them.
Total Quality Management Essay Research Paper I
Total Quality Management Essay, Research Paper I feel it’s important to learn about the subject of total quality management (TQM) when dealing with operations management. Total Quality Management and continuous improvement put tremendous emphasize on the importance of empowering employees within an organization.
Social Darwinism Essay Research Paper Social DarwinismSocial
Social Darwinism Essay, Research Paper Social Darwinism Social Darwinism was a late nineteenth-century social theory that was based on the theories of evolution of scientist Charles Darwin. The ideas and behind Social Darwinism came directly from his theories of evolution and, ?survival of the fittest.? The theory was used to explain how the economic growth of America was coming along.
Grand Unified Theory Essay Research Paper Final
Grand Unified Theory Essay, Research Paper Final essay 7 Essay 7 There are many laws to help us understand motion and the way things move and work. Most of the modern excepted theories were either thought up by Sir Isaac Newton or Albert Einstein, and Greene?s theory tried to tie them all together.
LAW Ceciro Plato Socrates St Thomas Essay
, Research Paper REVIEWING KEY CONCEPTS 1) Define natural and positive law. Identify the fundamental differences between the theories of natural and positive law. Give an example to illustrate each of these theories.