Buchanan and Huczynski’s definition of organizations as “social arrangements for the controlled performance of collective goals” is a concise and to-the-point definition that highlights the core characteristics of organizations.
This definition suggests that organizations are:
- Social: Organizations are made up of people who work together to achieve shared goals. This means that they have a social dimension, and that they involve interactions and relationships among people.
- Arranged: Organizations have a specific structure or arrangement, with roles and responsibilities defined and a hierarchy of authority established. This structure helps to coordinate the activities of individuals and groups within the organization.
- Controlled: Organizations have a system of control in place to ensure that activities are aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives. This may involve rules, policies, procedures, or other mechanisms for guiding and directing the behavior of employees.
- Collective goals: Organizations exist to achieve specific goals or objectives, which are typically shared by the members of the organization. These goals may be financial, social, or other types of objectives, and they provide a sense of purpose and direction for the organization.
Overall, Buchanan and Huczynski’s definition emphasizes that organizations are social entities that are deliberately structured and controlled in order to achieve collective goals.
