In the task of making organizations run effectively,
the models used by management guide analysis and
action. Organizations, as systems, possess critical characteristics such as
internal interdependence, capacity for feedback, equilibrium, equifinality, and
adaptation. They can be analyzed by using a
congruence model of organizational behavior which is based on how well
components fit together. Inputs for the model are
organizational environment, resources, history,
and strategy. The outputs are organizational
performance and effectiveness. The process of diagnosing
organizational behavior and determining its congruence (or the best
''fit'' for its components) is discussed. Once organizational congruence has been assessed, hypotheses
can be generated about problem causes, and action steps can be identified. The
model and the analysis process are tools for
dealing with the complex reality of organizations and can assist in decision
making.