By: Austin Gamey
What is an organisation?
An organisation is a managed system designed and operated to achieve a particular set of objectives.
As you observed Fig.1.1, a system is an interdependent part which processes inputs into outputs. Each system exists within some larger environment. For example, a business organisation is a system composed of different work units. Business units are typically called resources. Most businesses use a variety of human, financial, physical and informational resources. Managers engage in the activities described above so that these resources may be processed into products and services which are the outputs of the business.
Some of the major components of its external environment include customers, competitors, suppliers and investors.
Furthermore, an organisation is not a random group of people who come together by chance. It is consciously and formally established to accomplish certain goals which its members usually cannot reach by themselves. Also, individuals whose job is to achieve high performance relative to these objectives manage an organisation.
Organisations are designed to:
Make a profit for its owners and shareholders
Furnish its customers with products and services on timely basis
Provide an income for its workers based on performance
Increase the level of satisfaction for everyone involved.
For instance, a hospital delivers health care services, a professional sports team is organised to win games and make money, and a charitable organisation attempts to raise funds to alleviate some social problems. The managers of these organisations are responsible for achieving these objectives, and a key component of reaching their objectives is the understanding of ‘what are the unifying goals of the organisations with which you dialogue, (your university, your church, your firm or your team)?’
The purpose of this part is to ask executives, board members and financial gurus to rate your organisation on some key attributes of a reputation as below:
Quality of Management
Quality of Products or Services
Creativity and Innovativeness
Long-term Investment Value
Financial Soundness
Ability to Attract, Develop, and Retain Talented People
Community and Environmental Responsibility, and the
Use of Corporate Assets.
