NCJ Number
7496
Date Published
1967
Length
40 pages
Annotation
FORMAL ORGANIZATION AND INFORMAL ORGANIZATION, THE VIABLE SOCIAL MATRIX EXISTING WITHIN THE FORMAL ORGANIZATION, ARE OUTLINED AND DISCUSSED.
Abstract
ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS BEGINS BY BRIEFLY CONSIDERING SUCH IDEAS AS DIVISION OF LABOR, SOURCE OF AUTHORITY, AND ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS. TWO MEANS OF STRUCTURING AN ORGANIZATION FOR MANAGEMENT PURPOSES ARE MENTIONED AND EXPLAINED. THE 'SHORT' ORGANIZATION IS ONE IN WHICH THE VERTICAL LEVELS OF AUTHORITY ARE REDUCED TO PROMOTE MORE INFORMAL INFORMATION REPORTING SYSTEMS. 'TALL' ORGANIZATIONS ARE THOSE THAT MAINTAIN A STRICT HIERARCHY FOR THE PURPOSES OF AVOIDING AUTHORITY PROBLEMS. AN INDIVIDUAL'S CAPACITY TO OVERSEE THE ACTIVITIES OF OTHERS IS EXPLAINED IN TERMS OF THE GRAICUNAS THEORY - 'A MATHEMATICAL FORMULA BASED ON THE GEOMETRIC INCREASE IN COMPLEXITIES OF MANAGING AS THE NUMBER OF SUBORDINATES INCREASES.' THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCOMPLISHING THE ACTUAL OBJECTIVES OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (LINE PERSONNEL), AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THESE INDIVIDUALS (STAFF PERSONNEL), IS EXAMINED. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO POSSIBLE CONFLICTS ARISING FROM THE INTERACTION BETWEEN THESE TWO GROUPS. ORGANIZATIONAL CONCEPTS WILL BE HELPFUL TO BOTH THE POLICE ADMINISTRATOR TRYING TO IMPROVE THE STRUCTURE OF HIS ORGANIZATION AND THE LINE OFFICER ATTEMPTING TO UNDERSTAND THE ORGANIZATION IN WHICH HE WORKS. (SNI ABSTRACT)