Discuss the metaphor of an organization as an organism.
Organizations resemble living organisms that value survival (Tohidian & Rahimian, 2019). This resemblance differs from the organization as a machine model, which views the organization as a lifeless mechanical device only concerned with proper operations. The living organization model postulates that the organization is a conglomerate of subsystems combined to function as one living being. The organization will seek to optimize the subsystems to function as a living being. The organization will adapt to its environment while balancing its internal organs or functional areas.
Analyze the implications of open systems and the importance of the environment in which the organization exists and its interrelated subsystems.
Open systems theory postulates that an organization has a desire to develop a better future (Barton & Haslett, 2007). This theory implies that the organization is emulating a living and thinking being. The business manager should seek to address issues within the organization from the perspective of optimal organizational functionality. The open systems theory focuses on the environment in which people work and their interactions with one another. It fails to consider the formal mechanisms of interaction required by the organization, as does the organization as a machine model.
Demonstrate your critical thinking ability as you evaluate how various cultural influences (organizational subsystems) help define an organization as a system.
An organization as an organism will develop a culture to survive within its environment. This survival entails internal and external controls to safeguard relationships with authorities having jurisdiction and clients. The organization will develop functions to keep accurate records, monitor and control functional areas, address competition, standardize functions, and maintain government accreditations (Mubarak, 2016). Anyone new to the organization must adhere to these perceived norms to fit in with the cultural environment.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of the organismic metaphor in an organization today.
The strength of the organization as an organism is the survival aspect. This survival aspect means that the organization will monitor and control competition while controlling its internal subsystems to function together at optimal range. The organization will direct all its resources to defeat any threat to its survival. It will also seek to strengthen the individual subsystems just as a person would strengthen their muscles to be more competitive.
This organism model is limited in that it does not focus on improving the mechanics of the organization. Lean systems are a must for an organization to function at optimal parameters. It is not enough for the subsystems to get along well. Each subsystem needs to function in a streamlined manner. An organization using this model alone would allow a poorly functional area to continue because ridding itself of the area would be disruptive to other areas. Therefore, organizations must view themselves from multiple organizational theory perspectives.
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