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E140B
Assignment 2
Choose one of the following: (A) Layout; (B) Size and Hierarchy
A: Physical Layout and Space
The Collins and Lazier text describes physical space, ambience,
interior, and architecture as a key component of organizational
design (p. 100). The layout of a company's offices, cubicles,
labs, and conference rooms can strongly impact how people communicate
and interact to get their work done.
- Describe the physical layout of your startup. Is it in one
building, or scattered among several small offices? Is it mostly cubicles,
mostly individual offices, or one big open space? Is space plentiful
or cramped? Does top management have their own offices or work
alongside the "troops"? Is there a lunchroom?
- How has the company "personalized" the space? Does it incorporate special
artwork or product displays? Was it formally planned or happened
spontaneously? How have workers personalized their own work space?
Key Question:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
the current layout, ambience, and design for your particular startup?
What would you change to improve work flow, communication and
interactions?
Suggestion:
In the past, this assignment generated quite a bit of discussion; some people
actually drew or included pictures of their office layout.
B: Organizational Size and Hierarchy
As a startup grows, so does hierarchy - the management team gets bigger and
more layers of middle management are added to help coordinate the growing number
of activities the startup must do to be successful (R&D, Marketing, Finance,
Sales, etc.). Too little hierarchy makes it hard for the entrepreneur to monitor
and control action, and too much hierarchy can make the company slow, inflexible,
and political. But hierarchy and titles are also one way to entice people to
join the company. Entrepreneurs struggle to find the right hierarchical balance
as company size increases.
First state your companies size and then discuss the following questions:
- How many layers of management is there in your company? What are the general
titles?
- Would you consider it a flat or hierarchical organization? Why?
- Do decisions and information flow mostly through the formal hierarchy or
separate from it?
Key Question:
For your company's size and business strategy, what are the advantages and disadvantages
of the current organizational hierarchy? Too much, not enough, just right?