Unit 2: Environment Flashcards
what is the boundary of org env?
differentiation between inside/outside activities
- what will be outsourced? what will be developed internally?
who is responsible for establihsing the boundaries of org env?
Top-level managers
what is the general env?
Broad factors, trends & conditions that affect ALL org
-e.g. tech changes, economy, political changes, social/cultural factors
Should MONITOR
What is the SPECIFIC env? & examples
factors with immediate relevance for the org.
e.g. unions, suppliers, org of customers
Narrow & Broad
what are the narrow and broad aspects of the specific org env?
Narrow: Groups that the org depends on (internal employees, suppliers, customers)
Broad: groups that affect & are affected by org (protest groups, communities, media)
what is the actual org env?
the objective/measurable env
what is the perceived env?
managers’ interpretation of the environement
how does the perceived env affect DM
their perception guides DM. Incorrect perceptions = failures/incorrect decisions
what are the 2 types of env change?
Static
Dynamic
whats the difference between static & dynamic change?
Static: no technological change, no pressure (legal/political)
Dynamic: rapid, unpredictable change
what are the 3 dimensions for analysing impact?
Stability
Complexity
resource availability
Outline STABILITY as a factor for analysing impact of change
Extent of dynamic env. elements
Outline COMPLEXITY as a factor for analysing impact of change
no. of stakeholders
amount of knowledge needed to understand environment
Outline RESOURCE AVAILABILITY as a factor for analysing impact of change
level of resources available
high competition = low resources = uncertainty
What causes uncertainty?
the 3 elements of analysing impact (stability, complexity, resource availability)
Who proposed the types of uncertain environments?
Emery & Trist
What are the 4 types of uncertain environments?
Placid & clustered
Placid & randomised
Disturbed & reactive
turbulent
which is the most uncertain type of env?
Turbulent
outline PLACID & CLUSTERED as a type of uncertain env
unchanged
env elements are interdependent
outline PLACID & RANDOMISED as a type of uncertain env
slight, slow, predictable changes
elements NOT interdependent
outline DISTURBED & REACTIVE as a type of uncertain env
many competitors influencing the org
only adapt after the impact
outline TURBULANT as a type of uncertain env
dynamic, uncertain, continuous change
difficult to understand causes of change
what are the 4 ways to deal with env challenges?
control
manage boundaries
inter-org alliances
response to decline
what are the 5 elements of the env that you can control?
Control the elements that you can..
- norms of rationality (isolate the core of the org from env)
- control fluctuations
- forecasting (anticipate & adapt)
- rationing
-inter-org coping (coalition, competition, bargaining)
