Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach

by Richard M. Burton, B�rge Obel, Dorthe D�jbak H�konsson

Now in its fourth edition, this is the definitive step-by-step 'how to' guide to designing an organization. Building on information processing theory, the book proposes a holistic, multi-contingency model of the organization. This textbook communicates the fundamentals of traditional and new organizational forms, including up-to-date analysis of self-organizing, boss-less, digital, and sustainable organizations. Providing a framework for the practical implementation of organizational design changes, the authors break the process down into seven basic steps: (1) Assessing Goals, (2) Assessing Strategy, (3) Analyzing Structure, (4) Assessing Process and People, (5) Analyzing Coordination, Control and Incentives, (6) Designing the Architecture, and (7) Implementing the Architecture. Each step connects with one of the nine interdependent components of the multi-contingency model, and the authors also provide a logical query process for approaching each of these components. This is an ideal guide for managers or executives interested in assessing their organization and taking steps to redesign it for success, as well as for MBA and executive MBA students looking for an introduction to organizational design.

Genres: Business, Management, Professional Development

284 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2005

About the author

Richard M. Burton is Professor of Management at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, USA.

Reviews

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of interesting takeouts for the thinkers out to practice.

[Phuongvu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Một quyển sách cực hay và có thể áp dụng được luôn cho tổ chức. Chắc chắn sẽ làm slide và chia sẻ lại quyển sách này. Vô cùng hay.
18.4.2020

[Thuc Anh · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a conceptual book rather than the technique papers you need to really start the org design process.
Worth skimming over if you want an intro to OD

[Phan Minh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can say it’s amazing book. It makes me clear pictures of our organization. During reading, I found a lot of my mistakes to let something happen without well understanding. Thanks a lot Author.

[Konstantin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well structured textbook on organisation design.
It porvides the guidepath for analysing the current OrgDesign characteristics of business units, indentification the misfits (discrepancies) of the current OrgDesighn status, which can cause the perforamnce decline, and recommendation on how to deal with such misfits.

Geat textbook with practical implication!

[Jurgen Appelo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful overview of many factors influencing structure.

[Ilyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book.

[Grant Merrill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been looking for a book on how to structure teams. This book covers, more broadly, large organizations. The content is pretty basic and reading this book was not a very good use of time.

[David Carpinteiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author gives a step by step approach into defining the various parts to consider in a company architecture and for each the various types that exist and how they are identified. Along the way a structure is defined formed by the various parts, and their types and which ones ideally work well together, and also a process into how to change into what is ideal.
The information is well presented and very organized making it easy to follow.

[Heather]

Good General concepts on Org Design, need to have some experience to implement

[Goncalo Barata · Rating 3 out of 5]

Few takeaways but i think the general framework is not practical. The author tries to build a too simple framework, making it not practical. Maybe, maybe, for very large corporations it fits slightly more, but still highly questionable.

Structure of the book is good, but the writting is tough.

Still worth to keep that framework in mind when building a organization’s.