Flattened Organization

Flattened Organization

Table of Contents

1 . Introduction 2

2 . Background 2

3 . Decentralization 4

4 . Distinctive Features 5

5 . The Information Perspective 7

6 . Team Work 8

7 . Conclusion 9

8 References 10 Flattened Organization

Introduction

The flattened organization developed because of the business need to be responsive and flexible . In the traditional hierarchical organization the communication of information was slow and distorted . There was a need to control from the top and every one had fixed roles to play . The flattened organization development

was greatly aided by the development of information technology . Now it was possible for the CEO to communicate with the smallest worker and every worker could send messages to the CEO . The top management could describe the bright future for the organization and motivate workers . Teams were organized around core processes employees were encouraged and trained to develop multiple skills and performance assessments focused on the final outcomes of the processes . The flattened organization emerged as the most powerful structure companies adopted to gain competitive advantage .Background

The process of flattening began with the realization that a horizontal organization was more suitable for the information based organization (Ostroff , F , and Douglas S 1992 : Experts asserted that there was a need to uncover the core competencies of the business and build a horizontal structure . It was held that even though an organization cannot become fully flat or even close to that , it still can have a substantial degree of flatness because it is horizontally organized

The problems related to hierarchical organization had become impediments to organizational effectiveness . Hierarchical organizations led to fragmentation of work , control from the top , fiefdom and excessive specialization . Each of these drawbacks led to a paralysis in the organization and made it unresponsive to the needs of the consumer . On the other hand there were organizations that had used flatter organization to meet the needs of modern business . Microsoft uses a flatter structure , Ford Motor Company 's Customer Service Division and the home finance division of Barclay 's Bank

The flattening of organizations means several actions . At the inception there is a need to give team members the freedom to make decisions Moreover , there is a need to communicate and synchronize with both the suppliers and customers . Further , the accountability for tasks and goals should be allotted to teams and not to the team leaders (Weixel , S 1990

The flattened organization is structured around cross-functional core processes . It promotes multi-skilling , innovation and flexible responses . For example , a software-development team has several members each having a different set of skills and abilities . Each team has projects relating to software development . The core process is software development

In a flattened organization multiple capabilities are encouraged and workers are trained to take up work in cross functional issues . To flatten an organization , the companies need to redesign its functional departments ask its employees to work as team members in process performance . They are asked to join the main process groups . For instance in the personal housing...