Organizational Theory (Semester Summary)

Most people probably don't see organizational theory as cutting edge or perhaps even interesting enough to study. That was certainly me before this class. I quickly found out a new truth once I dived into the reading. As time went on I became delighted to see the unbalanced actions in my organization without frustration because with this new perspective I would mentally start to balance out the situation by adding in potential behaviors from other frames. In most cases I didn't take direct actions to correct the unbalances, mainly because I saw it as a learning activity. It is always interesting to observe human nature and change when the situation doesn't seem dire.

What do you do when you are but one small voice in an organization? Do you go with the flow? When you know something is off balance in a harmful way, do you wait for disaster to strike before taking corrective action?

One country, dedicated to its political ideology suddenly found itself with multiple resources cut off, disappearing allies, and facing potential starvation and community despair (think North Korea).  Without oil, its economy and way of life ground to a halt. People became malnourished. Of course the first thought to an outside observer is for the political frame to be reshaped to conform to global pressure--you know, give up on communism. But that didn't happen.

The Power of Community

The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil is one fascinating study of how a government chose to keep its people isolated and maintain its political integrity despite external pressures to yield. In response to the crisis, Cuba turned inward to pool intellectual resources and as a community find a way to thrive despite very few modern resources. Of some of the most interesting aspects of this film are: transportation issues--government cars were mandated to stop at designated areas and pick up citizens; education issues--schools became decentralized so that all could attend by walking or bicycling; organic agriculture--Cuba relearned healthy and traditional ways to thrive as a community.

Cuba adjusted its big picture framework not by mandating change but by loosening state controls. Of course the goal was for all arable land to be producing. In some instances land has been privatized because the state determined it is the most productive means. In other instances the land in managed in a cooperative community agreement, the second most productive avenue in Cuba's agriculture. Of course, much of the land is still owned and run by the state, although it is the least productive. Cuba isn't allowing for loafers either. If you are given land, you must produce or it will be taken from you and given to another. What is most interesting in this is allowing for human ingenuity and the ability to supplement one's income through organic agriculture. But a final crowning human element is Cuba trains more medical doctors than it needs so these doctors can go out in the developing world and treat the poor.

Perhaps now you can see why I find this balancing of frames so interesting. With a twist here and a smoothing out there, suddenly there are new possibilities which are benefiting more people rather than destroying one another for the benefit of a few. Still, it comes down to that final question: must we wait until dire circumstances are before us before we consider reframing and reorganizing the organization?