Transcript What is an Organization?

Begin HSO Coursework
 RHP exercise check-in: examples from each group
 What is an organization
 What is an HSO
 Class exercises for Monday
 Case: Andrea Cunningham
 Is a prison an HSO
What is an Organization?
 “An Organization is a system of consciously coordinated
activities or efforts of two or more persons
 Mechanistic: Formal planning, division of labor and leadership
 Organizations can also be thought as “social entities that
are goal directed, deliberately structured activity systems
with a permeable boundary”
 Organic: Constructed, complex, dependent actor
 Organization can be defined by who are its members and
who are not
 Not an easy distinction, no clear litmus test

RHP are students members? alumni? Parents?
Organization is like an iceberg
 On surface formal aspects:
 Constructed and visible
• Policies & Procedures
• Technology
• Structure
• Chain of command
• Stated objectives
More than Meets the Eye
 Informal structure, defined by social relationships
 Beneath the surface organic, dynamic, evolving
 Social processes & aspects of the organization
 Embedded knowledge/skills
 Attitudes
 Unhealthy conflict
 Informal interactions/communication
 Political behavior
 Group norms/dynamics
 Assumptions
What you can’t See will Hurt You
 Effective organizations is conscious of and
considers informal systems and patterns of
behavior when making decisions
 Effective change addresses what occurs subsurface
 Ignoring what is below the surface is a mistake
Organizational Problems: What Does it
Mean?
 Bad business model will lead to financial problems
that will threaten firm existence
 May adversely effect undersurface behaviors
 Non productive, destructive undersurface activities
harms the firm’s ability execute which can lead to
financial under performance
 Problems with both: be careful not to let your boss
find your resume in the company copier
Organizational
Problems
in
Action
Business
Org.
Symptoms
Model
Behavior
Financial underperformance/
bankruptcy
x
x
x
x
Destructive interpersonal
activities
Financial
underperformance/bankruptcy
Destructive interpersonal
activities
Financial
underperformance/bankruptcy
Human Service Organization
 Organization: A social group formed for some
purpose.
 Human SERVICE: Helping or aiding other human
beings, promote overall welfare of people
Definition: Putting it all together
“formalized groups of people who use skills and
resources to promote and enhance the well being of
the people they serve.”
 use service to make a positive change in the person

Note: the service receiver is not a passive customer, they are
active participants in their transition
Forms of HSO
 For Profit: Medical doctors practice; Athletic club (24
hr fitness or Spectrum)
 Public Agency: Government run mental health clinic;
Dept of Health and Human Services
 Not for Profit: Homeless Shelter
Historical Perspective: Administering Social
Services
 2 theories: 14-16 century
1) Preserving wealth/maintain social order: societal elites
advocated social services for self preservation-fearing that
the masses would rise up in response to their poverty
2) Charity is a human quality: helping the less fortunate is in
our DNA
-as moved away from feudalism and towards capitalism and
economic opportunity- public wealth became more widely
distributed and concern for those living in poverty.
Modern HSO management
 Early 20th century
 Providing of essential services fundamental part of
society
 managed on the principle of personal connection
between service provider and service recipient
 Scientific charity/Welfare capitalism
 Fusion of proven management practices and social
service administration

Capitalism merges with European socialism
Why HSO are Important to Study
 HSO especially, non-profits are going to play a
bigger role in providing essential services to
underserved populations.
 “era of big government is over”
 Big Business: Not for profits received $241 billion
in 2003.
 HSO face challenges and operate differently “for
profit goods/services” organization types
Case: Andrea Cunningham
 What were Cunningham’s goals for the organization
 Examples of destructive political behavior
 Suggestions for Andrea Cunningham
HSOs are viewed as “symbols of caring
society…they are also viewed as wasteful,
fostering dependency, obtrusive and controlling
(Offe).”
“HSO evoke hope and fear, caring and
victimization, dignity and abuse (Hasenfeld).”