Conclusion

C a n yo u r e m e m b e r t h a t o r ga n i za t i o n s a r e h u m a n c r e a t i o n s ? , t h at

organizations makes possible the benefits of modern living? Are you

convinced that organizations help us to order large-scale and complex social life?

Then, be prepared to learn about two different types of Organization that will answer the above questions and many more. These organizations are often referred to as:

•

•

" Fo rmal" Or gani zatio ns

"Informal" Organizations

A formal Organization is established basically for purposes of achieving certain goals. For instance, a Church or a Mosque mainly looks after the spiritual life of its members. An educational institution produces teachers, lawyers, engineers, economist, etc. the life of a formal organization is longer than that of the actors in it, because the actors come and go but the organization remains.

Formal Organizations also have long-term objectives; they may be stated

EDA 811 Concepts and Theories of Educational Administration and Planning

Eminent researcher has found it difficult to define organizations in general.

Subsequently Musaazi (1982) observed that organizations come into being because certain people have identified a common purpose, have been able to communicate with each other, and have shown willingness to contribute action. An organization establishes conditions that will enhance the effectiveness of the organization in attaining its goals. For example, in order

to realize the educational goals of a school, we need suitable physical facilities, qualified trained and experienced teachers, motivated learners, who have high aspirations, effective leadership and healthy human relation within the school and with Ministry of Education, and the community at large.

Exercise 1.1

• What are organizations?

• Mention some basic characteristics of organization?

• List at least three to four organizations, which you know in Nigeria?

Now, my dear students, let us continue this second unit with a step further by trying to identify the various types of organization that exit.

3.1.1

Types of Organizations

C a n yo u r e m e m b e r t h a t o r g a n i za t i o n s a r e h u m a n c r e a t i o n s ? , t h a t

organizations makes possible the benefits of modern living? Are you

convinced that organizations help us to order large-scale and complex social life?

Then, be prepared to learn about two different types of Organization that will answer the above questions and many more. These organizations are often referred to as:

•

•

" Fo rmal" Or gani zatio ns

" Informal" Organizations

A formal Organization is established basically for purposes of achieving certain goals. For instance, a Church or a Mosque mainly looks after the spiritual life of its members. An educational institution produces teachers, lawyers, engineers, economist, etc. the life of a formal organization is longer than that of the actors in it, because the actors come and go but the organization remains.

Formal Organizations also have long-term objectives; they may be stated clearly or implied. For example, Schools aim at the production of well- balanced personalities. This may be stated in the national philosophy and the

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Concepts and Theories of Educational Ad,ni,,istrajio,, and Planning EDA 811

school programmes butit may also not be mentioned. However, through total experiences iria School, the aim of turning our balanced personalities may be realized. In order to make the system work, formal organizations provide means of reporting performance and provide control devices to take care of normal human lapses.

In a school system, test and examinations measure performance and provide feedback to the learner. Remedial work and extra classes may be organized to upgrade poor performance in order to attain the goals of the school. Rewards and punishments, and guidance and counseling are commonly used in school situations.

Fo r m al o r gan i za ti on s h a ve wr itt en d oc ume nt s a s th ei r sta tu te s o r constitutions. Universities have statutes, companies have charters, and political parties have manifestos. These written documents facilitate the work

at all levels of the organization, as duties and responsibilities are laid down.

Membership of formal organizations is gained consciously, at a specific time and usually openly.

It is often difficult to determine the boundaries of an organization, to know definitely where one organization ends and the next one begin, or simply, to discover who is a member of an organization and who is not. An organization member is someone who participates in the operation of an organization and the selection of its objectives, or both. With these criteria, we can identity employees as members of an organization.

"Informal" Organizations are contrary to formal organizations. The informal ones are loosely organized, ill defined, and usually grow spontaneously.

Membership of informal organizations may be gained either consciously or unconsciously, and it is often difficult to determine the exact time when a person becomes a member. In such organizations one's membership or invol vement ma y j us t gro w thr ou gh time. The exact nature o f the relationships among the members and even the goals of the organization are unspecified. Some examples of informal organization are friendship cliques, peer groups and pressure groups. Informal organizations can be converted to formal ones when the relationship and activities are defined and structured.

For instance, in a school setting, one will find a group of teachers, closely associated, having one voice for or against a person, policy or programme and exerting sufficient influence in the school organization. Such a group has

no official recognition for its activities but the group makes its presence decisively felt. If the group cooperates with the

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EDA 811 Concepts and Theories of Educational Administration and Planning

are elements of informal organizations in formal organizations, and however much they may be disliked by management, they cannot be disbanded.

The informal organizations often exist by reason of informal channels of communication; that is to say there is more face-to-face communication than communication through document. From this discussion it is important for management to recognize the existence and importance of the informal organizations.

If properly encouraged it can result in better teamwork, and can assist in achieving the better cooperation and motivation of workers, thus allowing the system to adapt and survive. We shall continue our discussions on

organizations by looking at the general characteristics.