Nonprofit Organizational Assessment

parts of the organization are not seen as independent units but rather as a whole that
can orchestrate together to prepare for inevitable change.
Sociotechnical Model
The sociotechnical model, also known as Sociotechnical Systems (STS), is an
approach to complex organizational work design that recognizes the interaction
between people and technology in workplaces. The term also refers to the interaction
between society's complex infrastructures and human behavior. This model identifies
the environment as a key factor that interacts with the organization.
Cognitive Model
Behavior, cognitive, and other personal factors as well as environmental events,
operate as interacting determinants that influence each other bi-directionally. Personal
goals of the managers and staff are seen as assisting in the effort toward organizational
objective attainment. Decision making processes are focused on and specialization is
deemed as important to the flow of information.
Meta Models
Attempts have also been made to put elements of the above models into a kind of metamodel.
Based on a theorized blindness of a single perspective, Lee Bolman and
Terrence Deal have designed a model that splits analysis into four distinct paradigms.
These 'frames' are to be used as a pluralistic model, and therefore allow analysts to
change thinking by re-framing understanding and points of reference.
1. Structural Frame Here organizations are to be understood by role definitions
and clear hierarchy. Problems come from overlapping responsibilities and
unclear instructions. The assumptions are similar to the rational model shown
above and Taylorism.
2. Human Resource Frame According to this frame organizations exist to serve
society, they are places for growth and development. Problems come from when
people are not motivated or trained sufficiently. This is Similar to the
Sociotechnical model, or the work of Daniel Pink.
3. Political Frame this frame posits that organizations are cutthroat jungles, where
only the strongest survive. Problems come from poor power coalitions or overly
centralized power.
4. Symbolic Frame This frame supposes that organizations are deeply symbolic
and successful business is about the representation genuine meaning. Problems
occur when actors fail to play their parts.
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