Power Point

Presentation for
Organizational Theory
& Design

Created for the Second Canadian
Edition By
Allan MacKenzie,
Wilfrid Laurier University

PART 1
Introduction to
Organizations
Reproduced with the permission of Air Canada
Chapter Snapshot
Current organizational challenges
What is an organization?
Dimensions of organizational design
Evolution of organizational theory and design
Contemporary organizational design
Efficient performance vs. the learning
organization
Framework for the course

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Organization Theory Today
Current Challenges
Globalization
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Speed of Responsiveness
The Digital Workplace
Diversity

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Importance of Organizations
Bring together resources to achieve desired
goals and outcomes

Produce goods and services efficiently

Facilitate innovation
Use modern manufacturing and information
technologies

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Importance of Organizations (Cont.)
Adapt to and influence a changing
environment
Create value for owners, customers, and
employees
Accommodate ongoing challenges of diversity,
ethics, and the motivation and coordination of
employees
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Purpose of the Course
Improve your organizational
decision-making!
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Evolution of Organization
Theory and Design
Historical Perspectives

Contemporary Organization Design

Effective Performance versus the Learning
Organization

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An Open System and Its
Subsystems
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Five Basic Parts of an Organization
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Discussion Question

Consider the five parts of an organization
according to Mintzberg.

If an organization had to give up one of
these five parts, which one could it
survive the longest without, and why?

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Dimensions of Organization Design
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Course Map
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Chapter Summary
Organizations are ubiquitous and affect us
every day
Organization theory and design concepts
provide descriptive and predictive insights
The more you understand about organizational
realities, the better an organizational actor you
will be!
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