Organic Versus Mechanistic Designs

Distinctions in Organic and Mechanistic Designs

OrganizationsOpens in new window can be categorized along a continuum ranging from a mechanistic design to an organic design.

Tom Burns and G. M. Stalker first used the terms organic and mechanistic to describe two extremes of organization design after observing industrial firms in England.

Organizations are highly formalized and are also centralized, with most decisions made at the top. A mechanistic design is concerned primarily with efficiency.

In organic design

• Rules and regulations often are not written down or, if written down, are loosely applied.
• People may have to find their own way through the system to figure out what to do.
• The hierarchy of authority is looser and not clear-cut.
• Decision-making authority is decentralized.
• The organic design is concerned primarily with learning and adaptation.
• Managers communicate a clear sense of direction and purpose and then empower employees at all levels.
• Knowledge and information are widely shared, and challenging the status quo is encouraged.

Various contingency factors will influence whether an organization is more effective with a primarily mechanistic or a primarily organic design.

Figure X-5. Credit — Slideplayer Opens in new window

Figure X-5. Summarizes the differences in organic and mechanistic designs based on five elements: structure, tasks, formalization, communication, and hierarchy. The Figure also lists the typical contingency factors associated with each type of design.

1. Centralized Versus Decentralized Structure

Centralization and decentralization pertain to the hierarchical level at which decisions are made. In a mechanistic design, the structure is centralized, whereas an organic design uses decentralized design making.

Knowledge and control of activities are centralized at the top of the organization, and employees are expected to do as they are told.

In a highly organic organization, knowledge and control of activities are located with employees rather than with supervisors or top executives. People are encouraged to take care of problems by working with one another and with customers, using their discretion to make decisions.

2. Specialized Tasks Versus Empowered Roles

With a mechanistic design, tasks are broken down into specialized, separate parts, as in a machine, with each employee performing activities according to a specific job description.

In an organization with an organic design, employees play a role in the team or department and roles may be continually redefined or adjusted.

3. Formal Versus Informal Systems

With a mechanistic design, there are numerous rules, regulations, and standard procedures. Formal systems are in place to manage information, guide communication, and detect deviations from established standards and goals.

With an organic design, on the other hand, there are few rules or formal control system. Communication and information sharing are informal.

4. Vertical Versus Horizontal Communication

Mechanistic organizations emphasize vertical communication up and down the hierarchy. Top managers pass information downward to employees about goals and strategies, job instructions, procedures, and so forth, and in turn ask that employees provide information up the hierarchy concerning problems, performance reports, financial information, suggestions and ideas, and so forth.

In an organic organization, there is greater emphasis on horizontal communicationOpens in new window, with information flowing in all directions within and across departments and hierarchical levels. The widespread sharing of information enables all employees to have complete information about the company so they can act quickly.

In addition, organic organizations maintain open lines of communication with customers, suppliers, and even competitors to enhance learning capability.

5. Hierarchy of Authority Versus Collaborative Teamwork

In organizations with a mechanistic design, there is a close adherence to vertical hierarchy and the formal chain of command.

Work activities are typically organized by common function from the bottom to the top of the organization and there is little collaboration across functional departments. The entire organization is controlled through the vertical hierarchy.

An organic design, on the other hand, emphasizes collaborative teamwork rather than hierarchy. Structure is created around horizontal workflows or processes rather than departmental functions, with people working across department and organizational boundaries to solve problems.