Organizational structure refers to the order in which the organizational communication, duties, and authority flow to the members of the organization. Organizational culture can assume many ways an outstanding example being the flow of authority from the top management to the subordinates. On the other hand, work design refers to arrangement or order in which work is shared and performed by the members of the organization (Cavanaugh 186).
Both work design and organizational structure play a great role towards enhancing the effectiveness of the organization and performance as well. This means that they can either promote or hinder effectiveness and performance of an organization depending on how the organization plays with them. It is worth noting that both organization structure and work design determine the level of satisfaction among the employees of the organization. In other words, they affect the motivation of the employees in the organization. For instance, both the work design and structure affect the communication within the organization. They should be able to ensure proper communication of information on all levels of the organization. Provision of feedback is one area where the two may affect
There should be a proper flow of information within the organizational hierarchy. Communication is a powerful weapon in an organization, and the degree to which it is disseminated determines the effectiveness and performance of the organization. If there is proper flow of the information from the management to the subordinates and back then the organization is effective. The information needs to follow two ways. In one way the management should provide information on how the other employees should perform their duties. The supervisor should guide and direct the employees to ensure that they work as per the plans.
On the other hand, the employees should provide information regarding their progress of the work to their supervisors who then should disseminate such information to the higher management level. In so doing, the information can be said to be properly communicated. Such a move leads to increased effectiveness and good performance within the organization. Lack of coordination in the organizational structure leads to ineffectiveness thus the poor performance of the organization.
Besides, both the work design and organizational structure affect the motivation of the employees of the organization which further affect the level of effectiveness hence the performance. Effective work design should give the employees a given degree of autonomy. Autonomy allows employees to exercise their creativity in performing their duties. It is a great source motivation to the employees which enhances effectiveness thus able to enhance the performance of the organization. For example, if the organization work design gives the employees an opportunity to take part in decision making then motivation is guaranteed. In such a case, the employees can provide views on what they feel can help the organization to realize its goals. This enhances effectiveness and the performance of the organization as well. On the other hand, if the organization is unable to give employees a degree of autonomy to take part in decision-making process their motivation is affected negatively and so is the effectiveness and performance of the organization.
Also, both work design and organization structure need to foster a high degree of job specialization within the organization. An organization needs to consider its employees competence and divide the job according to specific talents of the employees. An employee can perform a job very well if his knowledge and skills are attached to that job. Job specialization thus focuses on dividing and allocating jobs to employees considering their abilities and skills. In such an organization, employees have great motivation in pursuing their work. Great motivation among the employees’ of an organization acts as the driving force to enhancing their effectiveness. Effective employees can foster high production in their work something that leads to increased organizational performance.
Smith (121) reveals that organizational structure also has a great influence on employee motivation. The structure can ensure increased motivation of the employees if there is coordination in the line of authority and among the departments. Besides, this is also possible if the structure allows employees to take part in decision making. Proper division and grouping of work among the employees ensure proper coordination of the same. As a result, employees have a clear understanding of what is needed in the organization hence able to work and cooperate with the management in ensuring the effectiveness of thus promoting good performance. For example, an organization whose structure allows proper coordination of work among the departments and all other levels of the organization create a conducive environment to foster good performance.
Furthermore, both work design and organizational structure need to promote teamwork within the organization. A team oriented job design and structure is very key to enhancing the effectiveness of the organization. Teamwork in an organization motivates the employees to work towards a common good. It is a good way of ensuring that member share competencies among the employees. Each employee has his or her talents within a group. In fact, a team can share a pool of talents that the employees hold. The sharing of such competencies helps a team to develop a working spirit that directs them to attain the goals of the organization. As a result, it leads to increased effectiveness in the organization which further promotes performance (Stone 120).
Moreover, the work design and organizational should foster performance reviews. They should create an environment in which the employees’ performance should be appraised. Organization should have well-structured performance appraisals policies that state when and how the evaluation should be conducted. It is worth noting that an organization with proper performance reviews enhances effectiveness and promotes productivity. For instance, an organization that conducts performance appraisals for it employees severally within a year can identify the areas of strengths and weaknesses. By so doing, the organization stands a better chance of developing strategies that would help the employees to improve on their weaknesses and maintain their strengths. As a result, such organization acts effectively something that helps it to foster good performance. Lack of proper designed performance
Finally, both work design and structure should provide an environment through which employees should grow and develop in their careers. An organization needs to have a structure and a design that allows employees to move from one job to another depending on their merits. For instance, it is important for the reward system of the organization to provide a policy that allows the management to promote employees with good merits from one job to another. Besides, it is also important for the organization to encourage job rotation as a way of promoting career development among the employees. Such a move allows the organization to foster a high degree of effectiveness which further encourages good performance. However, if the organization fails to foster such an environment, it is subjected to ineffectiveness which lowers its performance.
Works Cited
Cavanaugh, Jim. Organizational Structure. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State U, 1977. Print.
Smith, Randall Roy. Work Design. 1981. Print.
Stone, Raymond J. Human Resource Management. Milton, Qld.: Wiley Australia, 2002. Print.
