Organization structure from the classical control theory viewpoint

摘要

This paper attempts to explain the relationship between organizational structure and external environment from the approach of classical control theory. Organization is modeled simply as a network of information-processing agents. Agent is modeledas an inertial link whose time parameter is depended on the workload and collaboration, which in turn are determined, by the organization structure and external environment. Organizational structure not only determines the input-output connection of the inertial links but also influences their parameters. Borrowing the concept from classical control theory, organizational transfer function is defined whose bandwidth characterized the agility of organization. Three different organizational structures under a simple case are studied. Pyramid hierarchical structure is optimal in a simple and stable environment and when the communication between agents is high in cost. Decentralized organization is more appropriate when the environment is more complex and the communication is more convenient. Network organization is optimal when the communication among agent is low in cost. The investigation also suggests that a fatter structure is more appropriate when more collaboration is required.