Identify and analyze various organizational structures, along with how structure impacts work and organizational culture.
Using class material from the past weeks/modules, trade sources, and research-based articles from the online library, develop a 6-8-page research paper that addresses the relationship of structure to culture in creating an effective and efficient place to work. For this assignment, you will evaluate the strategies managers can utilize to impact organizational structure and culture. Address the following in your paper:
• Compare and contrast good (pick two) and not-so-good organizations (total of four organizations). You can select from the best places to work (Forbes, Glassdoor, etc.). Research and describe each organizations' structures and cultures.
• Evaluate organizational structure in a global, domestic, service, or industrial setting. Consider how each differs in regards to the mission, management decision-making, and workflow.
• Analyze why the structure and culture work well in those organizations that are deemed the best places to work.
• Identify three strategic ways a manager could improve the interface of structure and culture.
• Finally, many large organizations are trying to transition to smaller more flexible structures. Identify three management strategiesthat can make a bureaucratic organization a more team-oriented, collaborative, and inclusive culture.
• Use at least three scholarly articles and other professional sources to support your work.
How do I set up the paper? Title Page, Introduction, the body of the paper, conclusion, and a reference list. Use headers! Must use in-text citations for all references. APA Format Sample Paper
• Third-person writing is required. Third-person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first-person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second-person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person .
• Contractions are not used in business writing, so the expectation is that students do not use contractions in assignments.
• Paraphrase from relevant sources to show a greater understanding of the topics. Limit quotes, though when used explain their significance. Provide the page or paragraph number as appropriate. Note that a reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa.
Organizational structures, along with how structure impacts work and organizational culture.
Full Answer Section
Introduction
- Start with a general statement about the importance of organizational structure and culture in creating effective workplaces.
- Briefly define organizational structure and organizational culture.
- State the purpose of the paper: To analyze the relationship between structure and culture, compare successful and less successful organizations, evaluate structure in different settings, identify strategies for improving the interface of structure and culture, and discuss how to transition to more flexible structures.
- Provide a brief overview of the topics that will be covered in the paper.
Body
I. Comparing and Contrasting Organizations
- A. Good Organizations (Two Examples):
- Organization 1: (e.g., Google)
- Describe its organizational structure (e.g., flat, matrix, hierarchical). Cite source.
- Describe its organizational culture (e.g., innovative, collaborative, employee-centric). Cite source.
- Analyze how the structure supports the culture and contributes to its success. Cite source.
- Organization 2: (e.g., Southwest Airlines)
- Describe its organizational structure. Cite source.
- Describe its organizational culture. Cite source.
- Analyze how the structure supports the culture and contributes to its success. Cite source.
- Organization 1: (e.g., Google)
- B. Not-So-Good Organizations (Two Examples):
- Organization 1: (e.g., A company with a rigid hierarchy and a toxic culture – find a real-world example if possible, or create a plausible scenario).
- Describe its organizational structure. Cite source.
- Describe its organizational culture (e.g., hierarchical, top-down, potentially toxic). Cite source.
- Analyze how the structure hinders the culture and contributes to its problems. Cite source.
- Organization 2: (e.g., A company with a chaotic structure and a weak culture).
- Describe its organizational structure. Cite source.
- Describe its organizational culture (e.g., unclear, inconsistent). Cite source.
- Analyze how the structure hinders the culture and contributes to its problems. Cite source.
- Organization 1: (e.g., A company with a rigid hierarchy and a toxic culture – find a real-world example if possible, or create a plausible scenario).
II. Evaluating Organizational Structure in Different Settings
- A. Global Setting: (e.g., Multinational Corporation)
- Discuss how the mission, management decision-making, and workflow are influenced by the global context. Cite source.
- Consider cultural differences, communication challenges, and coordination across different locations. Cite source.
- B. Domestic Setting: (e.g., Small Business)
- Discuss how the mission, management decision-making, and workflow are influenced by the domestic context. Cite source.
- Consider the specific industry, local market conditions, and regulatory environment. Cite source.
- C. Service Setting: (e.g., Hospital)
- Discuss how the mission, management decision-making, and workflow are influenced by the service context. Cite source.
- Consider the importance of customer interaction, quality of service, and employee training. Cite source.
- D. Industrial Setting: (e.g., Manufacturing Plant)
- Discuss how the mission, management decision-making, and workflow are influenced by the industrial context. Cite source.
- Consider the importance of efficiency, production processes, and technology. Cite source.
III. Analyzing the Success of Best Places to Work
- Synthesize the findings from the "good organizations" you analyzed.
- Identify common factors that contribute to the success of these organizations, specifically focusing on the alignment of structure and culture. Cite source.
- Discuss how the structure enables the culture and vice versa. Cite source.
IV. Strategic Ways to Improve the Structure-Culture Interface
- Strategy 1: (e.g., Aligning structure with strategic goals)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it improves the relationship between structure and culture. Cite source.
- Strategy 2: (e.g., Fostering open communication and feedback)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it improves the relationship between structure and culture. Cite source.
- Strategy 3: (e.g., Developing leadership that supports the desired culture)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it improves the relationship between structure and culture. Cite source.
V. Transitioning to More Flexible Structures
- Strategy 1: (e.g., Empowering employees and creating self-managed teams)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it makes a bureaucratic organization more team-oriented. Cite source.
- Strategy 2: (e.g., Implementing cross-functional teams and projects)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it fosters collaboration. Cite source.
- Strategy 3: (e.g., Promoting diversity and inclusion)
- Explain the strategy and provide examples. Cite source.
- Discuss how it creates a more inclusive culture. Cite source.
Conclusion
- Summarize the key findings of the paper.
- Restate the importance of aligning organizational structure and culture for organizational effectiveness.
- Offer some final thoughts on the challenges and opportunities associated with managing structure and culture in today's dynamic environment.
References
- List all sources cited in the paper in APA format. Include at least three scholarly articles. Make sure that every in-text citation has a corresponding entry in the reference list.
Important Reminders:
- Third-Person Writing: Avoid using "I," "we," "you," etc.
- No Contractions: Use "cannot" instead of "can't," "do not" instead of "don't," etc.
- Paraphrasing: Summarize information from your sources in your own words. Limit direct quotes.
- In-Text Citations: Cite all sources used in the paper, even when paraphrasing.
- APA Format: Follow APA guidelines for formatting the paper, including margins, font, spacing, headings, and
- Scholarly Sources: Use credible sources, such as peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reputable websites.
This detailed outline should give you a strong framework for writing your research paper. Remember to research each section thoroughly and use your critical thinking skills to analyze the information and develop your own arguments. Good luck!
Sample Answer
Here's a structured outline to help you write your research paper on the relationship between organizational structure and culture, following APA format and third-person writing conventions.
Title Page
- Title of your paper (Concise and descriptive)
- Your Name
- Affiliation (University Name)
- Course Name
- Instructor Name
- Due Date
Introduction
- Start with a general statement about the importance of organizational structure and culture in creating effective workplaces.