HCM 433 MANGEMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR.pdf

Structure provides the framework for the activities of the organisation and must harmonise with its
goals and objectives. The first step, therefore, is to examine the objectives of the organisation.
Only when objectives have been clearly defined that alternative forms of structure be analysed and
compared.
3.2 LEVELS OF ORGANISATION STRUCTURE
According to Parsons (1980), organisations are structured in layers. This implies that the
determination of policy and decision-making, the execution of work, and the exercise of
authority and responsibility are carried out by different people at varying levels of seniority
throughout the organisation structure. Therefore, it is possible to look at organisations in terms of
interrelated levels in the hierarchical structure such as the technical level, the managerial level and
the community level. These are discussed below.
1. The Technical Level
The technical level is concerned with specific operations and discrete tasks, with the actual job or
tasks to be done, and with performance of the technical function. Examples are: the physical
production of goods in a manufacturing firm; administrative processes giving direct service to the
public in government departments; the actual process of teaching in an educational establishment.
2. The Managerial Level
The technical level interrelates with the managerial level, or organisational level, which is
concerned with the coordination and integration of work at the technical level. Decisions at the
managerial level relate to the resources necessary for performance of the technical function, and to
the beneficiaries of the products or services provided. Decisions will be concerned with:
•mediating between the organisation and its external environment, such as the users of the
organisation’s products or services, and the procurement of resources; and
•the ‘administration’ of the internal affairs of the organisation including the control of the
operations of the technical function.
3. The Community Level
In turn, the managerial level interrelates with the community level or institutional level, concerned
with broad objectives and the work of the organisation as a whole. Decisions at the community
level will be concerned with the selection of operations, and the development of the organisation
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