Organizational design and group structures debate

Read the following debate points and take the opposite position. Provide a convincing argument as to why I should change my position.

1. All organizations should use the group structure as the basic building block for designing and organizing jobs because they it helps establish formal and informal organizational structures. For that reason, structure is important because the diverse nature of group structure can determine the group task, who performs which task, and the form of group interaction collectively. Therefore, developing group structure helps leadership, group communication, and growth for the organization. (Losh, S. 2011)

Structure groups are even considered to be more flexible and can quickly assemble, achieve goals, and disband or move on to another set of objectives. For that reason, many organizations use structured groups to participate in decision-making and problem-solving activities leading to empowerment and increased productivity.

2. I suppose if organizations, groups, and individual human beings were robot-like, then a specified group structure or "template" might be the most effective way to start an organization and design its jobs, etc. The specific steps for building an organization might get a company off the ground, but in my opinion, the organization does not create itself or the success of the organization; it's the people at all levels that must take ownership or "take stake" in the organization.

There are countless variables that affect how an organization operates. It is impossible for organizations to not have or form "sub-cultures" (or cliques) due to diversity, leadership styles, levels of communication (McNamara, 2014), job similarities, and personal interests. Do the employees or management know each other, or are they just meeting for the first time? If people know one another, they have an idea of how a co-worker may handle stress or deal with certain issues. On the flip side, if people don't know each other, that may delay certain problem solving methods due to the unknown personal variables. Unfortunately, there may be "people who refuse to deal with the issues and push for results while all is in chaos" (McNamara, 2011).

Why do organizations or businesses exist? Obviously, they have a product or a service that fulfills a need to a specific consumer market that is large enough for the organization or business to succeed. An appliance company will have different organizational values and methods than a steak house restaurant, but both companies need "a flexible team that can efficiently turn a vision into a growing business" (O'Connor, K. 2014).
According to Mr. Kevin O'Connor of Fast Company Magazine, who co-founded several companies, "I realized that "strategic planning"--when the management team sits down to figure out where the company should be going--is often a major waste of time and takes the focus away from where your energy should be spent--building a great product". "If you build a great product that solves a big problem the revenue numbers will follow". (O'Connor, K., 2014).

Perhaps the greatest challenge AND benefit to modern business and organizations is the electronic age. When dealing with clients on an electronic-only basis, the personal factor is all but removed in the company-client relationship. For obvious reasons, "most or all interaction takes place electronically. These will continue to be significant issues for corporations, particularly in an increasingly global and electronic setting". (O'Connor, K., 2014).
Another example I found that poor group organization can be toxic for companies, is an article by Alyson Shontell of "Entrepreneur - the Business Insider", and her article "The Top 3 Reasons Startups Fail, According to a Man Paid to Save Them". Her research revealed that having only one founder, not having an amazing product, and running out of cash are some of the main reasons companies don't make it off of the ground (Shontell, 2013).

Our course text explains that interrelationships are important for group productively, and managers must be able to recognize that "groups" or cliques interact differently. One method of management might be perfect for one group, but not for another group, so it is imperative that the organization is structured for the group(s). The important thing to remember is, no matter the circumstance or the organizational climate/challenge, "steps can be taken to prevent divisions, and, on occasion, use company differences strategically to unify otherwise diverse individuals. (Losh, S., 2011).