What comprises the features of an organization is not universally agreed upon, but most authorities believe that there are a small number of elements common to organizations. This activity is important because you will find most of these elements in any organization you join.

a. The goal of this exercise is to test your knowledge of the major organizational elements.
b. Identified by Schein
c. Additional Elements Most Agree Upon
d. Without this, the organization begins to drift and become disorganized
e, Individuals do make a difference, but they cannot do everything themselves
f. This results in greater efficiency
g. Without the right to direct the work of others, there is no coordination of effort
h. This is linked with whether the structure is taller or flatter
i. This has to do with having the rights associated with managerial tasks
j. This is related to who makes important decisions in the organization
k. Reset

This question is about Schien's common elements of an organization. Schien proposed four common elements of an organization.

The explanation of this question is given below in the explanation section.

Explanation:

Schein's four common elements of an organization include common purpose, coordinated effort, division of labor, and hierarchy of authority.

In this question, it is asked to identify these four common elements of an organization and some other terms related to the management of an organization.

(d) Common Purpose:

An organization without a clear purpose or mission soon begins to drift and become disorganized. Because a common purpose unifies members or employees and gives everyone an understanding of the organization’s direction and about its objectives. To communicate the common purpose across organizations is the responsibility of central management and central tasks for managers. Managers communicate this common purpose by educating all employees on general strategy, values, mission statement, and short and long term objectives of the organization.

(e) Coordinated effort: Individuals do make a difference, but they cannot do everything themselves. It involves working together in a way that maximizes the resources of an organization and achieving tasks and objectives effectively. The common purpose of coordinated effort is to achieve the objectives of the organization through the coordinated effort of all groups and individuals within an organization.

(f). Division of Labor: This results in great efficiency.

The division of labor is also known as work specification for greater efficiency. It involves dividing tasks among people and groups of an organization according to their best skill set. By systematically dividing complex tasks of achieving a particular objective into specialized jobs, an organization uses its human resources more efficiently.

(g). Hierarchy of authority: Without the right to direct the work of others, there is no coordination of effort. It is the control mechanism for making sure the right people do the right things at the right time in organization.

(h). Organizational Structure: This is linked with whether the structure is taller or flatter. Taller or vertical structure in an organization like one CEO directing the organization according to his best capabilities while flatter or horizontal structure of organization, involves fewer levels of management and more employee autonomy in the decision-making process.

(i) Manager responsibility: This has to do with having the rights associated with managerial tasks

(j)  Top Management: Top management is responsible for making important decisions in the organization.