Organización formal e informal

Summary

The video script discusses the dual nature of organizational structures, highlighting the formal structure with clear roles and procedures set by management to achieve business goals, and the informal structure that emerges from interpersonal relationships and complements the formal setup. It emphasizes the importance of effective communication, workflow, and control within these structures and the impact of formalization on corporate culture. The script also addresses the potential issues arising from ineffective organizational structures and the risks of informal networks, such as gossip and rumors, which can lead to serious problems if not managed properly.

Takeaways

• 🏢 Formal Organization: Refers to the structured hierarchy and job positions within a company, defined by top management to achieve business objectives and subject to rules and procedures.
• 🤝 Informal Organization: Comprises the unstructured relationships and interactions among members that complement the formal organization, not appearing on the org chart but playing a crucial role in achieving goals effectively.
• 📋 Assignment of Responsibility: In a formal organization, each individual is assigned specific responsibilities and the necessary authority to perform their tasks.
• 🔄 Complementary Nature: The informal organization complements the formal one, helping to bridge gaps and improve efficiency and effectiveness where formal structures may fall short.
• 🗣️ Communication Flows: Depend on the development of processes and the communication guidelines set by top management, varying between centralized and decentralized organizations.
• 🔄 Work Flow: Relates to a systemic vision where internal and external stakeholders, suppliers, and customers are considered for effective decision-making.
• 🛠️ Control Mechanisms: Essential for establishing whether objectives are being met and for making necessary adjustments or initiating new activities to steer the organization back on track.
• 🔢 Levels of Authority: Determined by management, affecting the degree of centralization or decentralization within the company, which in turn influences the organizational structure.
• 📚 Strategic Organizational Structure: A well-planned and strategically designed structure helps a company function effectively and efficiently, while an ineffective one can lead to significant problems.
• 👔 Formalization: The degree to which procedures, rules, and guidelines are established and followed, affecting the company's culture and operations, such as work schedules, breaks, and conduct codes.
• 🌐 Informal Relationships: Based on social networks and personal interactions rather than hierarchical positions, which can lead to positive or negative outcomes like camaraderie or gossip.
• 🚫 Potential Risks of Informality: If informal organization becomes too influential, it can cause serious problems for the company, such as misinformation and reduced productivity.
• 📢 Importance of Clear Communication: Informal organizations often emerge due to poor communication or lack of clear, objective information, which can lead to rumors and gossip if not properly managed.

Q & A

What is the difference between a formal and an informal organization?

A formal organization is structured with defined roles, responsibilities, and a hierarchy as per the company's procedures, while an informal organization consists of relationships and interactions among members that are not part of the official structure.

How does a formal organization function within a company?

A formal organization is built by management to achieve company goals, following rules, systems, and procedures. Each person is assigned specific responsibilities and the necessary authority to perform their tasks.

What role does an informal organization play within a company?

An informal organization complements the formal structure, helping to achieve objectives effectively and efficiently through personal relationships and interactions that are not part of the official hierarchy.

How can the communication flow within a company be affected by its organizational structure?

Communication flow depends on the company's processes and management directives. Centralized organizations where top management makes decisions will have different communication flows than decentralized organizations where middle management can make decisions.

What are the potential negative impacts of an ineffective organizational structure?

An ineffective organizational structure can lead to significant problems such as loss of profits, employee turnover, lack of retention, and a decrease in productivity.

How does the level of formalization in an organization affect its culture and operations?

Formalization determines the procedures, rules, and guidelines of a company, influencing its culture and operations, such as how employees register their attendance, their breaks, computer usage, and the dress code.

What is the relationship between the formal and informal organizations in terms of communication channels?

Informal organizations can affect the communication channels within a company, and it's important to structure these channels to avoid confusion that may arise from informal relationships.

How can personal attitudes, prejudices, and preferences influence informal organizational relationships?

Personal factors can determine human relationships within an informal organization, affecting where individuals find their place based on these factors, which can lead to favoritism or conflicts.

What are the origins of informal organizations within a company?

Informal organizations often emerge by default due to poor communication, unclear policies, or procedures, leading people to interact and form relationships outside of the formal structure.

How can rumors and gossip become a problem in an informal organization?

Rumors and gossip can become a problem when there is a lack of clear, objective information, leading people to believe in unverified stories due to inadequate communication.

What is the impact of a strong informal organization on a company?

A strong informal organization can seriously affect a company if it influences decision-making or workplace dynamics negatively, potentially leading to serious problems.