Levers Of Organization Design: How Managers Use Accountability Systems For Greater Performance And Commitment

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INTERACTIVE NETWORKS

CHAPTERS 3 AND 4 described how managers design organizations in much the same way that an architect designs a building. Starting with an understanding of intended purpose, the architect conceptualizes the overall structure and designs the dimensions of individual rooms. Then electrical systems are added to support the energy needs of the building and its occupants. As a final check, the architect considers anticipated traffic patterns to ensure that the building will facilitate the flow of people through rooms and between floors.

We have followed the same sequence. In Chapters 1 and 2, we started with an organization’s purpose and strategy. In chapter 3, we discussed how managers decide on the structure of work units. In ...