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Organisational structure and Elliot Jaques' stratified systems theory / A study of the cognitive complexity of decision-making and control of operational managers in a South African organisation in the Freight Forwarding and Clearing Industry, as described by Jacques and Clements' cognitive complexity theory

Conduct an exploratory study on operationally focussed managers within a South African company, using both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to determine the correlation between the required and actual levels of complexity and time-span of control at specific hierarchical levels / Organisational design needs to be in line with capabilities of the individual-inrole.
The structure of an organization directly impacts the overall effectiveness and
ultimately the success of such an organization and the number of layers
required in any given hierarchy is a product of the organization’s mission
(Jaques, 1989).
Stratified Systems Theory (Jaques, 1989) defines work in seven strata based
on a basis of decision-making complexity. The research presented here
identifies a specific organisation’s current level of work based on complexity
and the time-span of decision-making.
Research was done in one specific geographical region of a company
operating in the Supply Chain and Logistics industry in South Africa.
Qualitative data collection was done by means of interviews with a defined
sample group that provided an adequate cross-section of the main functions
of the business, however, the sampling technique used may not provide
results representative of the entire population.
ii
The Brunel Institute for Organisation and Social Studies’ (BIOSS) Matrix of
Working Relationships was used as main basis for reporting results.
The research indicates that the organisation is presently, according to
Jaques Stratified Systems Theory (Jaques, 1989), operating at one level
below their intended level that will allow them to effectively meet their longterm
strategic objectives.
The report identifies shortcomings in terms of the current capabilities of the
individual-in-role and the actual work requirements, setting a foundation for
further analysis of individual capabilities for effective organisational design. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / MBL

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/146
Date January 2005
CreatorsGrobler, Schalk Willem
PublisherUnisa
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeResearch Report
Format1 online resource (x, 97, 25 leaves)

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