Organizational Structure Cont.
Many school systems, as well as other organizations, have created a schematic sometimes known as an organizational chart. The chart (similar to the one in our text on p. 48) often uses two types of lines to indicate lines of direct authority and lines of indirect authority. Unbroken, solid lines represent direct lines of authority; dashes or hyphens indicate indirect authority. Direct lines of authority indicate that an individual is directly supervised by a superior. In an indirect authority relationship, an employee is directly supervised by someone but, to some extent, is also responsible to another person in authority. A school system is an excellent example of this description. A special education teacher would be directly supervised by a school principal but would be indirectly supervised by the director of special education. Another example would be the authority relationship between a classroom teacher and a central officer supervisor of instruction. The teacher is directly supervised by the school principal but, to some extent, is also indirectly supervised by one or more other administrators.
This bureaucratic model was introduced by sociologist Max Weber, who suggested that all organizations have as core principles the division of labor, rules that govern the organization, a hierarchical organization relating to supervisory and administrative duties, and the need for all administrators to completely maintain an impersonal attitude toward all subordinates. This type of model is steadily being replaced due to the many problems associated with it to a model that emphasizes the need to increase organizational production through employee job satisfaction. McGregor’s theory X and Y, Ouchi’s theory Z, and other models identified in chapter one have begun to move organizations away from a purely hierarchal type organizational structure to a more participatory management model. Education in particular has greatly increased participatory management practices over the past 10 to 20 years. These participatory decision- making initiatives have provided teachers with the power to select textbooks, have input into the school’s curriculum, and have a voice in the employment of administrators as well as other teachers.
In the 1970s, a new management system or theory known as management by objectives (MBO) was introduced. Although our text does not really discuss MBO here, the MBO concept developed by Peter Drucker was quickly adopted by business, industry, and education. It still occupies a prominent place in educational administration. Both the employees and management can view MBO as a system in which specific performance objectives of an organization are determined. Once the objectives of the organization have been established the organization including the administration and employees can devise ways to achieve those objectives.
Total quality management (TQM) is yet another theory of management that has found its way into the educational system. TQM, founded by Edward Deming, looks at schools as a business. The concept of TQM is to view students as both employees and as the product, teachers as managers, and parents as the customers. To keep the business in operation (the school), the management and owners of the business (school administrators and teachers) must do everything possible to produce a better product (the student). The text reviews Deming’s 14 principles that organizations can put into place to maximize productivity in the workplace.
Web Links: Each student is to access the following Web sites to read additional information concerning topics presented in this chapter. Some of the readings will contain information that the students will be tested on. Where possible, Web sites have been included to present differing views on topics presented in this chapter.
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMM_94.htm
http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/total-quality-management/overview/overview.html
Discussion Questions: Students are to post their answers on the Discussion Board and copy them, along with the questions, to their electronic portfolio.
After reviewing this chapter, you will note that in almost all cases, trends and concepts adopted by both business and industry were implemented into the school structure many years later. Why is this so?
What are the advantages and the disadvantages of a decentralized organization?
Consider the differences and similarities between TQM and MBO. Provide an example of how both could be used in the school setting.
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