Systems Of Organization Approach

Systems Of Organization Approach

Among contributors to the work of the Behavioral School there was Maslow, who explored personality and motivation during 1940s, although not specifically within the workplace. Maslow posited a hierarchy of needs ranging through physiological needs ultimately to selfactualization. As lower level needs are satisfied individuals will seek to move to the next level. When physiological needs are met say through monetary reward they will satisfy their safety needs by seeking say job security. Other research and writing on workplace motivation was developed from Maslow work including McGregor, Herzberg and Alderfer who improved upon Maslow original work.

Organizations began to be seen as sociotechnical systems by Trist and Bamforth who researched the consequences of changes in work practices in British coalmines upon the introduction of mechanization. The preexisting short wall method was operated by selfmanaging and close knit teams, which were fiercely competitive with other teams. These relationships were carried over into the wider community. The introduction of new mechanical systems led to the reorganization of these teams into larger groups under a single supervisor. The teams were spread over much wider areas and divided into specialized task groups. These changes to the old subsystems made supervision difficult. Aspects of the old system were reintroduced and this led to improvements in productivity and morale. Organizations came to be seen as open systems reacting not only with their internal subsystems, but also with the wider external environment creating the Contingency Theory Approach.