Noções de Administração - Níveis Organizacionais

Summary

In this video, Professor Alex discusses the concept of organizations, emphasizing that they are groups of people and resources working towards a specific goal. He explains that the study of administration encompasses all types of organizations, not just companies, and outlines three organizational levels: strategic, tactical, and operational. The professor uses examples from universities, small businesses, and even historical events like Christopher Columbus's expedition to illustrate how decisions at each level impact outcomes. The video highlights the complexity, responsibility, and geographical scope that vary across these organizational levels.

Takeaways

• 😀 Organizations are defined as groups of people and resources working together towards a specific goal, such as a company aiming for profit or public institutions with non-profit purposes.
• 😀 The field of administration studies organizations in general, not just companies. It applies to all types of organizations, including businesses and public institutions.
• 😀 Organizations operate at three hierarchical levels: strategic, tactical, and operational. These levels exist in both businesses and academic institutions.
• 😀 The strategic level involves the highest leadership, such as the rector of a university. The tactical level involves coordinators or middle managers, and the operational level involves day-to-day workers, like professors or employees.
• 😀 A single person can occupy roles in multiple levels, especially in smaller organizations where one individual may manage both strategic and operational tasks.
• 😀 As organizations grow, roles become more specialized, and individuals typically focus on specific levels rather than managing all aspects of the organization.
• 😀 Decision complexity increases with the level in the hierarchy, with higher-level decisions, such as those made by a university's rector, being more complex than those made by a professor.
• 😀 Authority and responsibility go hand in hand. The higher one's position in the organization, the greater the authority and responsibility they have.
• 😀 The risks associated with decision-making are higher at the strategic level. A single wrong decision at the top can lead to significant consequences, such as navigating the wrong course in a historical expedition.
• 😀 Geographic scope and time horizons also increase with the level of the organization. For example, the strategic level deals with broader geographic areas and long-term planning, while the operational level handles immediate, short-term concerns.
• 😀 Rewards and risks are not evenly distributed in organizations. Those in strategic roles often gain more rewards when the organization succeeds but also bear more responsibility when things go wrong.

Q & A

What is the main focus of administration as a science?

Administration is the science that studies organizations, which are formed by a group of people and resources working together to achieve a specific goal or result.

How does an organization differ from a group of people without a common goal?

A group of people without a common goal, like those gathering in a public space, is not an organization. An organization exists when people unite with shared resources and a specific, common objective.

What is the ultimate goal of most organizations, particularly companies?

The ultimate goal of most organizations, especially companies, is to generate profit. However, some organizations may prioritize long-term investments over immediate profits.

Are organizations always for-profit entities?

No, organizations can also include non-profit institutions like public organizations, which do not necessarily aim for profit but instead focus on different purposes.

What are the three levels of organizational structure?

The three levels of organizational structure are strategic, tactical, and operational. These levels define the hierarchy and decision-making within an organization.

What are the responsibilities of each level within an organization?

The strategic level is responsible for overall vision and direction, such as the university rector. The tactical level focuses on managing specific departments or areas, such as course coordinators. The operational level involves day-to-day activities, such as professors and staff directly engaging with students.

Can one person perform tasks at multiple organizational levels?

Yes, especially in small businesses. For example, a business owner might act at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels by making high-level decisions while also managing daily tasks directly.

How does complexity differ between the organizational levels?

The complexity of decisions increases with the organizational level. For example, decisions made by the rector of a university are much more complex than those made by a professor, who focuses on classroom management.

How does authority correlate with responsibility in an organization?

Authority and responsibility are directly linked. The higher the authority a person holds, the greater their responsibility in making decisions and facing the consequences of those decisions.

How do geographical and time horizons influence organizational levels?

Higher organizational levels (strategic) often have a broader geographical scope and longer time horizons, such as planning for the future of an entire university. In contrast, lower levels (operational) focus on immediate tasks, like preparing a class for the next day.