Report on organizational structure of british airways

ORGANIZATION AND BEHAVIOUR APPROACH OF BRITISH AIRWAYS

in proper manner. This report would aim at

Introduction

discussing all these concepts in the relation

Organization behaviour is basically

of a multinational company named as ASDA

the

plc which have its more than 500 retail

organization, processes adopted by the

stores all over the world. This report would

organization, management processes and

also implement some concepts in relation to

environmental

the British Airways (BA) to understand all

the

behaviour

of

the

people

interactions

in

within

the

organization. It is the combination of behaviour of all these aspects within the organization and has direct impact on the

the concepts in an effective manner.

1. Organizational Structure and Culture

operations of the organization. Various aspects of organizational behaviour like the organization structure and culture which define

the

organizational

style, motivation theories and the use of teamwork etc. within the organization are important to be discussed in order to understand the organizational behaviour in details. These concepts also help in the creation of better work environment within organization

by

aligning

the

organizational behaviour according to the goals and objectives of the organization. The behaviour of the employees within the organization defines their attitude and performance within the organization which has a direct impact on the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization. It becomes too

important

for

culture in BA and ASDA

behaviour,

management approaches and leadership

the

P 1.1 Organizational Structure and

organizations

to

understand and implement all these concepts

ASDA is the multinational organizational having business of retail chain and has presence in more than 15 countries with its more than 500 stores. British Airways is the main airlines service provider which claims to have the largest number of fleet size.

Organizational structure of any organization defines the way responsibilities and decision making authorities have been defined within the organization while organization culture defines the way the employees, processes and

management

decisions

of

the

organizations are taken. Various kind of organizational structures that can be found usually are flat structure, tall structure and matrix structure which are being created on the basis of line of authority distribution

within

the

organization.

Organization

cultures that can be prevalent within the organizations are task culture, role culture, power culture and person culture depending on the behaviour of the employees which is usually instilled in the employees through the past leaders of the organization. Based on the various facts and research, it can be easily

said

that

ASDA

follows

the

P 1.2 Organizational structure and

bureaucratic structure and role culture while

culture influencing behaviour

BA follows the entrepreneurial structure and

of employees in ASDA

power culture. In a bureaucratic structure

Previous subsection talked about the

and role culture, employees are empowered

organizational structure and culture of

and job security is ensured and the decisions

ASDA in brief manner. The organization

are divided on the various levels according

follows a bureaucratic structure and role

to the criticality of the decisions. In an

culture which have a direct or indirect

entrepreneurial structure and power culture,

impact on the behaviour of the employees

employees are not empowered and most of

working within the organization. It is being

the

top

observed that the freedom given for taking

management. In ASDA, organization is

the small decisions give the employees a

being divided among divisions and division

feel of responsibility to them and motivates

heads

take

them for more responsible behaviour within

decisions while in BA all the decisions are

the organization while when employees are

taken

the

termed just as a medium of work within the

organizations have different structure and

organization, then the employees behaviour

culture which depends on the goals and

in different manner and don’t work in more

objectives of the organization however

responsible manner. The structure and

structure and culture are related with each

culture of the organization gave them such

other.

freedom or rights. The employees working

decisions

are

are

being

by top

taken

by

empowered

management.

the

to Both

in the ASDA at a lower level are provided with a flexible work environment and they

have to report directly to the division head

2. Perception of the individual about

that have the authorities to take the

the

decisions, so in such an environment

objectives and his responsibility

employees are encouraged to work in

shapes his behaviour.

organization’s

goals

and

flexible manner which helps the employees

3. Attitude of individual about the work

in behaving in a responsible manner. The

and his own goals and objectives

structure and culture prevalent within ASDA

creates his behaviour at workplace.

has an impact on the behaviour of the

4. The learning level of individual

employees within the organization and also

defines the way he works for the

impacts the results of the organization in a

organization.

significant manner.

5. Apart

from

above

mentioned

individual factors, the factors which

P 1.3 Employee Behaviour in ASDA Behaviour of employees within the

are related to the organizational

organization is an integral part of the

environment and have influence on

organizational

the

behaviour

in

collective

employees’

behaviour

are

manner. There are several factors which are

leadership,

communication,

directly related to the employees and some

motivation, organizational

are related to the work environment of the

structure and culture, group working,

organization which has direct or indirect

peer experience etc.

influence on the employee behaviour within

The above-mentioned list of the factors

the

a

which influence the behaviour of employees

bureaucratic structure and role culture. Some

within ASDA is not exhaustive; there can be

of the important factors which influence the

several other factors as well which influence

employee behaviour within ASDA can be

behaviour of employees in some manner.

listed in following manner:

Managers use various techniques in order to

organization.

ASDA

follows

1. Personality of the individual defines the behaviour of the employees within the organization. It also related to personal and professional development.

align employees’ behaviour according to the objectives

and

goals

of

organization

(Dolphin, 2003).

2. Management Approaches and Leadership

work within the organization. Mr Andy

P 2.1 Leadership Styles A leader is a person, who has

Clarke is a kind of democratic person who

influence on individuals or groups working

takes the decisions after discussion with

in an organization, assists them in the

different divisional heads and most of the

formation of goals, and leads them in the

decisions are taken on the basis of

achievement of those defined goals by

consensus. There are transformational and

providing them with an environment which

transactional leadership styles as well

helps in the effective working and learning

according to the thought processes of

process.

any

leaders. Keith Williams can be considered as

organization is its CEO. The leaders have

transactional leader while Andy Clarke as

their own style of working and which is

the transformational leader. These leadership

known as their leadership style and it differs

styles affect the behaviours of employee to a

from one leader to another. Leadership style

great extent (Stacks, 2013).

of CEO of an organization has a direct

P 2.2 Organizational Theory

impact

The

on

the

main

leader

performance

of

of

the

Applicable at ASDA

organization. CEO of ASDA is Mr Andy

Organizational theory helps in identifying

Clarke has his own personality which

various approaches in order to understand

defines his leadership style and CEO of BA

the organization. It studies the organization

is Mr Keith Williams has some different

from

personality which defines his leadership

organizations, businesses and how they are

style. The main type of leadership style that

related with the operating environment. The

can be found in the leaders on the basis of

main organizational theories that can be

their traits are autocratic (tells), persuasive

practiced within the organizations are

(sells),

scientific

participative

(consults)

and

various

perspectives

management,

like

social

bureaucracy,

democratic (joins). Mr Keith Williams take

systems approach, classical administration,

all the decisions about the organization by

human relations approach and contingency

itself after the discussion with the boards of

theories. These theories differ in their way

directors, so he possess a persuasive kind of

of working of management and have their

leadership where he assumes that his

own advantages and disadvantages. ASDA

decisions

the

follows contingency theory. These theory

employees and would be motivated for the

changes from one organization to another

would

be

accepted

by

depending upon the management style

P 2.3 Management Approaches

followed

organization.

Management of any organization play an

Contingency theory suggests that there can

important role in the success of any

be best form that an organization or

organization as it involves the management

management can adopt. It states that most

of individuals or human capital working

suitable form is achieved by the various

within the organization who contributes to

factors surrounding the environment. These

the

organization theories have an impact on the

functions of management are planning,

management

the

organizing, leading, staffing, motivating,

organization. Contingency theory applicable

creating, communicating and controlling. All

within ASDA has a direct impact on the

these functions are directly related to the

management practices of ASDA. The main

management of the employees working for

tasks that are performed by managers within

an organization. A successful management

an organization are planning, staffing,

within the organization results in the

organizing, controlling and leading. The

successful organization. There are various

organizational

the

kinds of management approaches followed

relationship existing between freedom of

by the organization in order to achieve

employees and the organizational control

success in their goals and objectives. The

along with the nature of authority and power

management plays various kinds of role

existing within the organization. It also

within the organization like interpersonal,

defines the relationship existing between

informational and decisional. Interpersonal

society and organizations along with the

role involves interactions and coordination

relationship

and

with the employees of organization while

individualism in the modern form of

informational role involve sharing, handling

organizations. The practices of management

and analysing various information related to

are directly impacted on the basis of these

the

relationships. Finally it can be concluded

management requires it to take various

that the contingency theory applicable at

decisions that are helpful for organization.

ASDA form the management practice within

Management approach followed in ASDA

the organization which aims at achievement

performs

of goals and objectives in most effective and

according to the situation as it follows

within

the

practices

theories

between

within

define

collectivism

organizational

organization.

these

success.

Decisional

entire

The

role

defined

main

of

roles

contingency theory of organizational. All the

the organization. Leadership style of the

decisions are taken by the management to

managers plays an important role in the

help in better results (Collins, 1996).

process. An autocratic manager would directly implement the changes by forcing

3. Motivational Theories

his decisions on the employees while a

P 3.1 Changes and impact of

consultative manager would first discuss all

leadership styles

the aspects of the changes with the

ASDA is a retail chain which has to implement various kinds of changes at times in order to adapt the various changes in the environment like political, technological or laws and policies. It is being observed that the organizational

change of

any

kind

within the company face many kinds of issues from the employees as they are not ready for such changes many a time. These changes

can be implemented

by the

organization with the help of change management which ensures the successful implementation

of

change

within

the

organization. ASDA may look forward for the changes in the billing system or the outlay of the stores which may require drastic changes within the stores and the way employees work there. Such changes within the organization can be implemented

employees and would take the decisions.

The motivation of the employees is highly dependent on the leadership styles of manager as the manager who forces his decisions on the employees are not usually liked by the employees while the managers who have the nature of consulting with the employees before making finally decisions are liked by the employees. Such managers motivate the employees to work in the changed environment and understand their viewpoints about the changes. So, it can be stated that the leadership style play an important employees

role

in

during

the the

motivation change

in

of the

organization (Pe単a, 2001).

P 3.2 Application of Motivational Theories

by making employees aware about the

There are various motivational theories

changes before hand and getting their

defined over the time and are applicable in

feedbacks on the same. This helps the

different kinds of organizations according to

organization in understanding the viewpoint

their goals and objectives and the motivation

of the employees about the changes within

level of the employees working within the

organization. These motivation theories

•

First Level: Physiological needs

basically help the managers to understand

•

Second Level: Safety needs

the motivational factors for the different

•

Third Level: Social needs

kind of employees working under them and

•

Fourth Level: Self-esteem needs

•

Fifth Level: Self-actualization needs

suggest them the applicable motivational factor in order to motivate them. These

Hertzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory:

motivational theories are used by the

Hertzberg identified various factors that are

organization to increase the effectiveness

important for the employees working within

and efficiency of the employees over the

the organization or can be said that the

time. Retail chain organization where the

factors that results in an effective work by

employees are assigned targets for their

the individuals working in an organization.

works, there is much use of motivational

These

theories in order to motivate them in

Hertzberg in two categories i.e. hygienic and

achieving

Following

motivational factors. Hygienic factors help

motivational theories are the important

the employees in providing with a hygienic

motivational theories that are in most use:

and

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs:

motivational factors increase the motivation

Maslow’s identified various needs of the

level of the individuals working within the

employees

a

organization and increase their efficiency.

hierarchical manner in order to assign the

Hygienic factors identified by him are

priorities to these needs of individuals.

security, company policies, salary, work

According to him, there are various kinds of

condition, supervision, peer relationship,

needs of an individual and with the passing

leadership etc. while motivational factors

time, these needs changes. An individual

were identified as achievement, recognition,

who has completed first level of needs looks

responsibility, growth,

for next level of needs and so on. So, the

advancement etc. It is necessary for ASDA

motivation factors for an individual will be

to

those factors who will address the needs of

environment which have all the hygienic

next level. The different levels of needs

factors in order to get an effective work

defined by Maslow are:

from them.

their

and

targets.

designed

them

in

factors

suitable

provide

are

work

the

being

divided

environment

by

while

interesting work,

employees

with

McClelland’s Learned Need Theory:

the

McClelland

identified

learning

organization as the managers can utilize the

experience as the important factor for the

effectiveness of the employees by using any

motivation. According to him, individuals

of these motivational theories according to

working within the organization can be

the motivational level of the employees.

categorized in three important categories

Managers identify the factors that can help

according

the

the employees in working more effectively

organization i.e. Need for achievement,

and reward employees accordingly in order

Need for affiliation, Need for Power. He

to motivate them for effective working. It is

mentioned that these needs are dependent on

already known that the employees get

the learning and experience level of the

motivated according to their needs for the

employees and the employees at one level

work. Motivational theories are applied by

can be motivated by identification of his

the managers according to the requirements

needs for another level. It is somewhat

from

similar to the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

motivational hygiene theory can be used by

but differ in the context.

the managers of ASDA in a manner that it is

to

their

the

needs

from

Finally, it can be said that the above discussed theories for the motivation of employees are important theories and should be used by ASDA according to the employees in order to motivate them for effective and efficient working. It can be easily recommended to the management of ASDA to utilize the benefits of Maslow’s hierarchy needs theory in order to get the effective and efficient work from the employees (Rastogi, 2006).

P 3.3 Application of motivational

the

businesses.

necessary for the employees to provide a hygienic business environment which help in attracting more customers as well due to the direct interaction of employees with the customers in same environment. Managers assess the motivational factors for the different employees and according to that they reward the employees and get the work done by employees in more effective and efficient manner. So, it can be concluded by stating that motivational theories are much helpful for the managers in order to get work done by the employees in a better way

theories for Managers

(Ocholi, 2006).

Motivational theories are of much

4. Teamwork

use for managers working within an

Hertzberg’s

individuals’ goals and objectives. Interest

P 4.1 Groups and their influence in

groups are formed on the basis of the

ASDA ASDA is an organization with more than 1 lac employees working within the organization.

It

is

well

known

that

individuals tend to form group within the organization, society, institutes etc. A group is formed by two or more people for different purposes. There can be many kinds of groups that can be found within ASDA. Groups can be formal or informal in nature.

There are various other kinds of groups like task group, command group, interest group, friendship group etc. Groups are formed by individuals in order to get affiliation, security, power, recognition, fulfilment of the goals etc. Task groups are the groups which are formed for the accomplishment of a particular task. Such groups can be mostly found in the organizations as most of the organizations

create

groups

for

the

completion of the tasks. Command groups are the groups where the members of the group report to same managers and get commands from same manager. These groups are most prevalent within the organizations as most of the organizations follow such structure where a manger manages the particular group for the accomplishment of organizations goals and objectives while keeping in mind about the

interests of the individuals while friendship groups are formed for the special purposes like get together, enjoyment of trips etc. where the purpose of all the members is same. Different groups in an organization behave in different manner according to their purposes and the constituents of the groups. The cultural beliefs, language, value systems etc. of the individuals within the group influence behaviour of the overall group. These groups active within the organization influence the organizational behaviour in direct or indirect manner. In ASDA, command groups can be found mostly due to the organizational structure. In ASDA, employees report to same supervisor of the store according to their tasks within the store. The employees working within the group influence behaviour of each other and ultimately the behaviour of the group where the actions of the group are influenced in a great manner. An individual in a group who is from a particular culture may influence the person from another culture and may be fatal for the organization if have negative thought process. So, finally concluding it by saying that there can be various kinds of groups in the organisations and behaviour of individuals in the groups affect the group

P 4.2 Development of effective teamwork Effective teamwork within the organization is most important for the success of the goals and objectives of the organization in effective and efficient manner. Organization emphasizes on the development of effective teams within the organization as effective teams of the organizations are considered as the most important assets for them. There can be various factors that promote the creation of effective teamwork within the organization. These important factors can be described in below manner:

Leadership Style: Leader of the team plays an important role in the results from a team. Working with leading people can get effective results from the team while a leader who is ignored by its employees can’t get the effective results as the employees will not follow his orders and would behave in their own manner.

Team building Exercise: Such exercise helps in the better coordination among the team members as they get to know about each other in more details with the help of such exercises. Most of the organizations emphasizes on the team building exercises on periodical basis as it bring cohesiveness

Diversity: It means the presence of the people from different cultures, languages, and beliefs etc. in a team. Diversity promotes the creativity and innovation thinking of the individuals within the team as individuals gets to know about various kinds of culture at the same place. They get affected by the thinking process of the individual from other culture and if find that effective they start following them which results in the effective teamwork for the organization. However there can be some issues with the diversified teams as well like conflicts due to the nature and beliefs of the individuals.

within the teams. With the help of team building exercises, team members get to know about the interests, weaknesses, characteristics and strengths of the team members in a better manner (Kleiner, 1997).

P 4.3 Technology and team function Technology plays a very important role in the functioning of the team active in the organizations. With the introduction of new technologies day by day, the role of information

technology within

the

organization is becoming more important as technologies ease the works of the teams and enable them to function in effective and efficient manner. Various technologies that

have influenced the team functioning in

to get all the information about their work so

significant manner at ASDA are as follows:

that they can plan their work accordingly

Email: This is a form of asynchronous

(Wells, 1995).

communication which enable the members

Conclusion

of a team to communicate with each other irrespective of their location and the time.

However, the misuses of email can be fatal for the team sometimes.

Groupware: It is a very useful technology which is in much use by the organization to plan meetings in virtual manner. It enables the teams to conduct meeting without forcing them to gather at a single place (Hunsaker, 2008).

Computers: Computers have become too important these days and there is no organization

which

does

not

have

computers. They have made all the work easy for the employees and all the communication, presentations, database etc. are handled through them only. Laptops, palmtop etc. are some other forms of computers which come in compact form and allows all the functions of computers to its users.

Mobile phones: With the introduction of mobile technology, the life of people has become too easy. It enables individuals to communicate

and

get

informations anywhere, anytime without the help of internet and enables the individuals

Organizational behaviour play an important role in the effective and efficient results from an organization as it defines the behaviour of the processes followed in an organization, behaviour of the individuals etc.

Various

aspects

of

organizational

behaviour which are discussed in the report are most important to understand the organizational behaviour.

Structure

and

culture of the organizations differ from one to another while teamwork get affected by various factors and technology. Leadership style is important for the organization in achieving

goals

and

the

motivational

theories are used by the managers to get the effective

results

from

the

employees.

Overall, various concepts of organizational behaviour discussed above play some kind of role in the working of the organization.

This assignment helped in the practical implementation of all the concepts learnt during the course. This report would enable the readers to understand these concepts in better details

so that they can also

implement such practices within their organizations.

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