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SEMESTER FALL 2013Introduction to Sociology (SOC101)
SolutionAssignment No. 01Normative organizations
Normative organizations usually work on the basis of voluntary
membership. Many of us aremembers of some sports club, Human Rights
NGOs, hospital, psychiatric institute orenvironmental protection
agencies. But some of these organizations run successfully
whereasrest fails to get success? Why, it is so, why in some
situations these are successful whereas inothers these are not?
What factors contribute in it-individual or structural? The dilemma
is not
just restricted to volunteer organization, many other
utilitarian and coercive organization face the
similar circumstances and dysfunctioning. There are many factors
behind this dysfunctionaing,some organizations successfully tackle
these whereas others unable to identify the root cause
andsuffer.
Following are the scenarios illustrating dysfunctioning of two
normative organizations; you aresupposed analyze each scenario and
identify:
1. Problem within;
o Structure
o Decisions styles
2. Violation
3. Possible solution, how can you make difference?
Scenario 01.
In a football club in Liari, Karchi, the president has been
working in the club since age of 10years. He has spent all his life
playing football and had long affiliation with the club. As he is
themost experienced person who has served the team for 30 years so,
he has also been engaged inadvisory committee, coaching, managing
teams and is representative in states footballassociation. His
efforts and expertise are acknowledged by all and he is respected
by all the
people. He knows much as compared to others so trivial matters
are also decided by him.Thismade him the linchpin in everything the
club did resultantly his work load increased and hishealth has
suffered under pressure. No one is delegated the authority to work
autonomously, andfeels in trepidation of making the wrong decision
without first getting his input.
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1. Problem within;
o Structure
o Decisions styles
A combined impact of a structure that is too flat is that the
one senior individual becomesthe only person authorized to make
decisions on behalf of the organization,thus slowingdecision making
on any important issue, and most non-important issues too! It
isunderstood that such roles are voluntary and that individuals
have lives (including work)outside of the organization which will
generally take precedence, thus limiting the timeavailable for the
work needed: approving decisions, making plans, and insisting that
they
play a part in every discussion.
2. Violation
In normative organization, structure is usually based on 360
feedback whereas in thisscenario bureaucratic structure is followed
which is against the true sprits of voluntarismin which each and
every individual is given equal importance in decisions.
3. Possible solution, how can you make difference?
The appropriate selection of skilled individuals in
manager/coordinator roles runningtheir own sub-teams is vital for
results to see the light of day. Instead, leaders shoulddelegate
appropriate authority, including financial authority, down the
hierarchy tomanager/coordinator roles. This of course comes with
accountability to use funds andresources according to documented
and agreed rules to support the objectives of theorganization.
Scenario 02.An association is established by mothers in Lahore
as school-mothers group in order to discussthe issues of their kids
admitted in the school. A new lady joined the group who has
threechildren in nearby school. As she has prior experience of such
type of association, so the
president of the association overloaded her with multi tasks
which were pending for last fewyears. In order to establish the
monopoly, the president did not give any background or
historicalinformation of the projects to that women resultantly she
was overwhelmed and frustrated andleft the association.
1. Problem within;
o Structure
o Decisions styles
If an individual is not treated with fairness and trust, and are
not getting quality direction andsupport from their immediate
manager they will get frustrated and may leave. Once you
haveundertaken to build the hierarchy, being available and
providing timely and relevant input to help
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subordinates to solve problems and make progress on their
assigned tasks, and hence why notonly one individual should be
given all the authority. The other leading contributor to
committeedepartures is overwork. A new and enthusiastic volunteer
will put their name down for all sortsof tasks when in reality two
or more people are needed to accomplish the required outcomes.This
again is reminiscent of a poor structure, not estimating the work
of various levels, and
setting unreasonable expectations. A key observation to make in
this regard is the degree ofexpectation placed on an
individual.
2. Violation
Lack of support as her key complaint found in this case which is
against the terms and conditionsof normative organization.
3. Possible solution, how can you make difference?
The supportive attitude and balanced work load to all the
employees/volunteers are the possiblesolution of this problem. If
everyone in an organization will be treated equally in terms of
behavior and work then such incidences will not be taken
place.
