GMS 200 Chapter 10: Chapter 10.docx

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Global Management Studies
• Course: GMS 200
• Professor: Jian Guan

Document Summary

The process of arranging people and other resources to work together to accomplish a goal. The system of tasks, workflows, reporting relationships, and communication channels that link together diverse individuals and groups. The structure of the organization in its official state. An organization chart is a diagram describing reporting relationships and the formal arrangement of work positions within an organization. An organization chart identifies the following aspects of formal structure: A shadow organization made up of the unofficial, but often critical, working relationships between organization members. Potential advantages of informal structures: helping people accomplish their work, overcoming limits of formal structure, gaining access to interpersonal networks. Susceptibility to rumor: may work against best interests of entire organization, may carry inaccurate information, may breed resistance to change, diversion of work efforts from important objectives. People with similar skills and performing similar tasks are grouped together into formal work units. Members work in their functional areas of expertise.