Making Sense of Organizations

The power of reframing

Simple ideas, complex organizations

Differences  between management and leadership

Metaphor and the four frames

Sources of ambiguity in organizations

Basic/common fallacies in organizational diagnosis

Frames: what are they

Reframing: what is it?
 

Key concepts to understand Part 2

Chapter Three:

a. Core assumptions of the frame.
b. The common structural elements shared by all organizations, goals, boundaries, levels of authority, communications systems, coordinating mechanisms, distinctive roles, rules and procedures.
c. The two basic elements of organizational design and tension: differentiation and integration
d. The fundamental issues managers need to consider in determining an appropriate structure (size, core technology, environment, goals and strategy, information technology, and work force).
e. McDonalds and Harvard: A Structural Odd Couple
f
Basic structural tensions
g.
Vertical integration/coordination
h.
Matrix structures
i.
Impact of technology on structural: techno/structure/ core processes

Chapter Four

a. Differentiation vs. integration: what is the dilemma?
b. Gaps vs overlaps,
c. Under use vs overload
d. Lack of clarity vs. lack of creativity
e. Too much autonomy v. too much centralization
f. Too loose vs. too tight
g. Diffuse authority vs. over-centralization
h. Goalless vs. goal bound
i. Irresponsible vs. unresponsive
j. Strengths and weaknesses  of simple structure, machine bureaucracy, a professional bureaucracy, divisional form, adhocracy
h. Restructuring: why, when and how;
outcomes of reengineering  
i. Helgeson's Web of Inclusion
j. Minzberg's five structural configurations
k. Why do you find  Minzberg's Adhocracy form in diverse, freewheeling environments.

Chapter Five

a. Structural features of small groups; high performance teams; reasons for successful teams
b. Microcosm  of large organization
c. Impact of structure of groups
d. Group norms
e. Group process vs group content