HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN ORGANISATIONS (OHRM 303)
Lecturer: Aaron Makafui Ametorwo
ORGANISATION: WHAT IS IT?
What is Organisation?
• The basic form of organisations is found at the family level, which is the basic unit of society.
• Organisation can be defined as: a group of individuals who agree to share their effort in the realisation of common goals. Thus to qualify as an organisation, there must be people, goalsand relationships.
What is Organisation? … cont’nd
• The definition of an organisation can looked at in two ways: Processdefinitions and Structuraldefinitions.
• Structural definitions emphasise the importance of
relationships among people as the most important determinants. Eg. Organisation is a social unit deliberately constructed and reconstructed to seek specific goals.
• Process definitions consider the activities, establishing authority
and responsibility in the relationships. Eg. An organisation is the process of defining and grouping the activities of the enterprise and establishing the authority relationship among them in performing the organising function.
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Characteristics of an Organisation
• Organisations are created and maintained by people who naturally have different goals, and their inherent selfish nature make them compete in order to realise their individual goals.
• The characteristics of an organisation are the various elements that define it:
Social unit; Goals; Substitution of personnel; Structure; Division of labour; Rules and regulations; Cooperation and communication; System.
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Characteristics of an Organisation
1. Organisation as a Social Unit
Organisations are made of people who communicate with one another, are willing to contribute collectively and individually, are desirous of satisfying personal and social needs.
2. The characteristic of Goals
Goals are desired state of affairs, ultimate purpose and
Characteristics of an Organisation
3. Substitution of Personnel
Organisations have a long-term perspective, and so in the absence of an incumbent, another must be transferred or promoted or employed to replace. There may be issues of death, retirement, dismissal, etc.
4. The characteristic of Structure
A structure is an orderly arrangement of activities. The structure of an organisation is developed to identify the roles of members and establish authority relationships among them.
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Characteristics of an Organisation
5. Division of Labour
This refers to the subdivision of tasks. First are the
organisational goals which are then broken into sub-goals. It is from the sub-goals that labour is divided. Over a period, people become specialised, which is as a result of repeated performance of tasks.
6. Rules and Regulations
In any organisation, rules and regulations exist, which may be written or unwritten, which give directions and guide behaviour.
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Characteristics of an Organisation
7. Cooperation and Communication
Cooperation implies sharing efforts. Organisational tasks are not solo but a result of complementarity. Cooperation increases harmony and develops positive attitude.
8. The System Characteristic
Functions of an Organisation
Why do organisations exist?
The following functions are performed by organisations: a. To facilitate management
b. To optimise the utilisation of resources c. To encourage growth and diversification d. To manage the environment
e. To economise on costs f. To stimulate creativity
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Classification of Organisations
It is important to note that organisations are not necessarily businesses. They may refer to some other forms of entities. Organisations can be largely classified thus:
a. Functional basis (Economic, Political, Religious, Maintenance, Social)
b. Beneficiary basis (Mutual benefits, Business, Service, Common wheel)
c. Formality basis (Formal, Informal)
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Classification of Organisations
i. Economic or Business:Providing value to society. ii. Political: Providing direction to the growth of the economy
and the country. Also deals with the distribution of resources.
iii. Religious: Developing religious faith and fulfilling spiritual needs.
Classification of Organisations
v. Social:
Promoting social relationships.
vi. Mutual benefits:
Securing benefits to a particular
group.
vii. Service:
Providing a service which is integral to
society
viii. Formal:
Realising common objectives by
providing structural interaction
.
ix. Informal:
Providing social satisfaction
.
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Principles of an Organisation
Organisational principles refer to guidelines that enable managers effectively design organisational structures. In other words, they are the philosophies that determine the type of organisational structure an organisation must adopt.
a. Principle of Objectives: As a statement of purpose of existence, objectives provide direction for organisations.
b. Principle of Specialisation: As a result of the division of labour is specialisation, which is the uniqueness in performing a task effectively.
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Principles of an Organisation
c. Principle of Coordination: Coordination refers to uniformity and consensus in thinking and action. Coordination is required at all levels in the organisation for its continuity.
d. Principle of Span: Reference here is made to the span of control. It is the number of subordinates who are required to work under the supervision of a superior.
