Organizational Design At Microsoft Essay -- essays research papers

ntroductionThe ongoing case study presented by Microsoft and the scrutiny of the Justice Department and Congress serves as an excellent departure point to establish the spirit and premises of organizational theory and design since it allows for examination from both the viewpoint of the public and the economic aspects of the situation in which Microsoft finds itself. While issues of organizational structure and incarnate policies as related to costs, revenue, profit and market structure are inherent in the study of any company or organization, it is important to recognize the unusual aspects of Microsoft. Microsoft, undeniably, has a larger presence throughout the computer software industry and the users of its many products since its operating system defines, to a great degree, how work is done in the modern business organization world. With a company that has virtually always been in a "near-monopoly" situation such as Microsoft, it comes as no surprise that thither ar e many who believe the company should be split into two (or more) independent organizations. However, that has little to do with the organizational design reality that actually is the Microsoft Corporation. or so companies grew out of their perpetual search for profit and how to make that profit grow bigger apiece year and Bill Gates and Microsoft are certainly no exception to that rule. In fact, they are the personification of the rule Such a determined search for ever-increasing profits has resulted in large, vertically integrated organizations. But it is indwelling to keep in mind the fact that economic harvest does not end in profit accumulation. In the case of the computer and software industry, growth came in the form of reliance on external economies, that is, keeping apace with the technological progress of other companies in the same industry rather than each company going its own way. Microcomputer companies that remain active to this day are the ones that view computer s as open ended machines, ready to be upgraded and modify from time to time, at pace with the current technology advances. Again, Microsoft presents the definitive example of such a company.Organizational Design for the 21st CenturyAny business or business process has had to face a certain level of re-engineering or reconstruction in order to fit into the managerial revolution of the mid-nineties and the move into the 21st cent... ...loyees and grand plans for the future. For both start-up ventures and existing firms, entrepreneurship carried on in the pursuit of business opportunities spurs business expansion, technological progress, and wealth creation. The Connor Model would certainly control that fundamental fact.In order to adequately plan for the future, especially in terms of making the appropriate organization design plans for the future, Microsoft has had to broaden its collective reasonableness of information and other aspects associated with non-bureaucratic organizat ional design in order to appropriately commit to the ideas Connor advocates. Clearly, the current changes in organizational environments, are disturbing the century-long domination of the bureaucratic organization but a company such as Microsoft has not had to deal with such hidebound "traditions." However, it is also important that it not allow itself to be "married to" the unique traditions and processes it has established. Considering the past performance and accomplishments of the company, regardless of decisions made by the government, it is likely Microsoft will continue to evolve in ways that assure its success