Home
Blog
Analysis for company management structure (Hierarchy)

Analysis for company management structure (Hierarchy)

Daniel Kevins

0 comments

Organizational Structure and the Future of Hierarchy

A great deal of attention has been given to the decentralization of modern work organizations, but recent thinking suggests that “flattening” organizations does not necessarily foster a more democratic work environment. The logical extension of a flat organization is one that as no hierarchy and no managers. But no such company exists, does it? Actually, there is a very successful company with no managers, no hierarchy, and no assigned jobs. That company is the Valve Corporation–the leader in video games.

This assignment requires you to analyze organizational structures and their influence on employee behavior by comparing the structure at Valve Corp. with that of a traditional bureaucracy. Begin by reading an unfavorable and a more favorable article about structure and employee behavior at Valve. The first takes a positive view and the second presents a more negative view of the highly decentralized structure at Valve. Next, review the online lecture about organizational structure.

You are now ready to begin this assignment. Answer each of the following questions (33 points each):

1. Explain how Valve’s structure differs from that of a bureaucracy with respect to decision-making authority, access to information, and work autonomy (i.e., how much freedom employees are given in defining their jobs)?

2. What is the basis for gaining and keeping power at Valve versus a bureaucratic organization? Specifically, explain how one gets and keeps power in both of these structures.

3. Which structure offers more protection from managerial abuses of power and arbitrary decision-making? Is Valve’s structure better suited to protecting employee rights or is bureaucracy better able to foster employee rights?

structure rubric (1)

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQ1 Knowledge of Organizational Structures

33.0 pts

Outstanding

Complete and correct analysis of decentralized and bureaucratic organizational structures written in the student’s own words. Thorough analysis of decision-making, information access and work autonomy that was high quality across all three areas. Extensive and correct application of course material

30.0 pts

Very Good

Detailed analysis of decentralized and bureaucratic organizational structures written in the student’s own words. Analysis, while clear and convincing was not as complete as it might have been. Analysis of decision-making authority, information and work autonomy was correct and well done, but it varied in quality across these three topics. Very good use of course material.

28.0 pts

Good

Correct analysis of decentralized and bureaucratic organizational structures written mostly in the student’s own words. Analysis was not as thorough or as insightful as it might have been. Complete analysis of decision-making, information access and work autonomy that was high quality across all three areas. Application of course material was good, but some concepts were either missing or not fully discussed.

25.0 pts

Average

Basic analysis of decentralized and bureaucratic organizational structures written with a mix of student’s own words and jargon from outside sources. Very basic analysis of decision-making, information access and work autonomy that was inconsistent across these three areas. Sparse application of course material.

20.0 pts

Poor

Incorrect analysis of decentralized and bureaucratic organizational structures based on jargon from outside sources. Little or no analysis of decision-making, information access and work autonomy. Minimal application of course material

0.0 pts

No Submission or Answer Unrelated to Question

33.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQ2 Power and Structure

34.0 pts

Outstanding

Thorough and succinct analysis of the sources and bases of power in bureaucratic and decentralized structures. Identification of the correct concepts to conduct this analysis and complete and correct application to question asked. Response written in the student’s own words.

30.0 pts

Very Good

Thoughtful analysis of the sources and bases of power in bureaucratic and decentralized structures. Identification of most of the correct concepts to conduct this analysis. Discussion was not as detailed as it might have been, but did address the key issues raised in the question. Response written in the student’s own words.

28.0 pts

Good

Correct but not complete analysis of the sources and bases of power in bureaucratic and decentralized structures. Identification of some of the correct concepts to conduct this analysis. Discussion lacked detail and clarity at times but did address the key issues raised in the question. Response written in the student’s own words.

25.0 pts

Average

Basic analysis of the sources and bases of power in bureaucratic and decentralized structures. Identification of a few of the correct concepts to conduct this analysis. Discussion lacked detail and clarity and did not fully address the key issues raised in the question. Response included jargon from outside sources that was not explained well.

20.0 pts

Poor

Incomplete and incorrect analysis of the sources and bases of power in bureaucratic and decentralized structures. Discussion lacked detail and clarity and did address the key issues raised in the question. Response included jargon from outside sources that was not explained well.

0.0 pts

No Submission or Answer Unrelated to Question

34.0 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQ3 Structure and Employee Rights

33.0 pts

Outstanding

Thorough and thoughtful analysis and discussion of the influence of decentralized structures and bureaucratic structures on employee rights. Analysis uses course material to provide depth and insight, and was written entirely in the student’s own words.

30.0 pts

Very Good

Thoughtful analysis and discussion of the influence of decentralized structures and bureaucratic structures on employee rights. Analysis made some use of course material to provide depth and insight, but it could have been more complete, and was written entirely in the student’s own words.

28.0 pts

Good

Well conducted analysis and discussion of the influence of decentralized structures and bureaucratic structures on employee rights. Analysis made some course material to provide insight, but discussion lacked depth at times. Answer was written primarily in the student’s own words with some jargon from outside sources.

25.0 pts

Average

Very basic analysis and discussion of the influence of decentralized structures and bureaucratic structures on employee rights. Analysis made little use course material to provide depth and insight, and was superficial and incomplete. Considerable use of jargon from outside sources.

20.0 pts

Poor

Little or no analysis and discussion of the influence of decentralized structures and bureaucratic structures on employee rights. Analysis made no use of course material and was superficial and jargon laden.

0.0 pts

No Submission or Answer Unrelated to Question

33.0 pts

Total Points: 100.0

About the Author

Daniel Kevins

Follow me