Organization and Its Nature: Detailed Questions and Answers
Prepared by: SanKush Edits
Subject: Principles of Management
Unit: Unit 1
Language: English
Exam Preparation Note:
These answers are suitable for long-answer questions. Students should
understand the meaning of each point and present the answer using clear
headings, explanations, and an appropriate conclusion.
1. What is Organization? Explain Its Objectives and Features.
Meaning of Organization
Every organization is established for a specific purpose. A business
organization may aim to earn profit and satisfy customers. A school
may aim to provide education. A hospital may focus on health
services, while a non-governmental organization may work for social
welfare.
Objectives of Organization
1. Achievement of Common Goals
The primary objective of an organization is to achieve common
goals. People work collectively because many large and complex
objectives cannot be achieved effectively by individuals working
alone.
2. Proper Division of Work
Organization divides the total workload into smaller activities
and assigns them according to the knowledge, skills, experience,
and specialization of employees.
3. Coordination of Activities
Different departments must work together. Organization creates
coordination among production, finance, marketing, human
resources, and other operational areas.
4. Optimum Utilization of Resources
Organization helps management use human, financial, physical,
technological, and informational resources efficiently while
minimizing waste and unnecessary costs.
5. Establishment of Authority
Organization clarifies who has the authority to make decisions,
give instructions, approve work, and supervise the performance of
subordinates.
6. Fixing Responsibility
Every employee is assigned specific duties and responsibilities.
This creates accountability and makes performance evaluation
easier.
7. Organizational Growth
A sound organizational structure supports expansion,
diversification, innovation, and long-term growth.
8. Smooth Communication
Organization establishes formal communication channels through
which information, instructions, feedback, and reports can move
between different levels.
Features of Organization
1. Common Purpose
Every organization is created to achieve one or more common
objectives. These objectives guide the actions and decisions of its
members.
2. Group of People
An organization requires at least two people. A single individual
working independently cannot be considered an organization.
3. Division of Work
Organizational activities are divided into smaller jobs. This
division encourages specialization and increases productivity.
4. Coordination
The efforts of different individuals and departments are integrated
so that they contribute toward common objectives instead of working
in conflicting directions.
5. Authority and Responsibility
Organization establishes relationships between managers and
subordinates. Authority gives the right to make decisions, while
responsibility creates an obligation to complete assigned work.
6. Organizational Structure
Every organization has a structure showing jobs, departments,
reporting relationships, levels of management, and communication
channels.
7. Continuity
Organizations are generally created for continuous operations. They
continue to exist even when individual employees or managers leave.
8. Dynamic Nature
Organizations must adapt to changes in technology, competition,
customer preferences, government policies, economic conditions, and
social expectations.
Conclusion:
Organization is the backbone of management. It creates an orderly
framework through which people, duties, authority, and resources are
combined to achieve common objectives.
3. Describe the Types of Organization.
Organizations can be classified on the basis of their purpose,
ownership, structure, authority relationship, and legal form.
Different types are suitable for different activities, sizes, and
environmental conditions.
A. Types Based on Purpose
1. Profit-Oriented Organization
A profit-oriented organization is established mainly to earn profit
by producing goods or delivering services. Manufacturing firms,
banks, retailers, and private companies are common examples.
2. Service-Oriented Organization
A service-oriented organization is created primarily to provide
social, educational, health, religious, cultural, or public services.
Examples include schools, hospitals, charities, and NGOs.
B. Types Based on Ownership
1. Private Organization
A private organization is owned and controlled by individuals,
families, partnerships, or private companies.
2. Public Organization
A public organization is owned and controlled by the government. It
is generally established to provide public services and promote
national welfare.
3. Joint Organization
A joint organization is owned and operated through the combined
participation of the government and private investors.
C. Types Based on Structure
1. Formal Organization
A formal organization is deliberately created by management. It has
defined positions, written rules, official authority relationships,
and established communication channels.
Major Features of Formal Organization
- It is intentionally created.
- Authority and responsibility are clearly defined.
- Rules and procedures are officially established.
- Communication follows prescribed channels.
- Employees are assigned specific positions and duties.
2. Informal Organization
An informal organization develops naturally from personal
relationships, friendship, common interests, and social interaction
among employees.
Major Features of Informal Organization
- It develops spontaneously.
- It is based on personal and social relationships.
- It does not depend on written rules.
- Communication is flexible and rapid.
- It provides social satisfaction to members.
D. Types Based on Authority Relationship
1. Line Organization
Line organization is the simplest form of organization. Authority
flows vertically from the top level to the lower level, and each
subordinate reports to one superior.
2. Functional Organization
Functional organization is based on specialization. Experts are
given authority over particular functions, such as finance,
production, marketing, or personnel management.
3. Line and Staff Organization
Line and staff organization combines direct line authority with
specialist advice. Line managers make operational decisions, while
staff experts provide technical and professional support.
E. Types Based on Legal Form
1. Sole Proprietorship
A sole proprietorship is owned, controlled, and managed by one
individual. The owner receives all profits and bears all risks.
2. Partnership
A partnership is formed by two or more persons who agree to operate a
business and share its profits, risks, and responsibilities.
3. Company
A company is a legally registered organization with a separate legal
identity. Its ownership is generally divided into shares.
4. Cooperative Organization
A cooperative organization is voluntarily formed by individuals with
common economic or social interests. It operates for mutual benefit
rather than maximum profit.
Conclusion:
No single type of organization is suitable for every situation.
Management should select an organizational form according to its
purpose, size, ownership, legal requirements, and operational needs.
4. Explain the Features of Effective Organizational Goals.
Organizational goals are useful only when they are clearly designed,
accepted by employees, and connected with the mission and resources
of the organization.
Major Features of Effective Organizational Goals
1. Specific
Goals should clearly state what the organization wants to
achieve. Vague goals create confusion.
2. Measurable
Goals should include measurable results so that actual progress
can be assessed objectively.
3. Achievable
Goals should be realistic in relation to available resources,
technology, skills, and time.
4. Relevant
Effective goals should support the mission, vision, and major
priorities of the organization.
5. Time-Bound
Every goal should have a deadline or defined time period for
completion.
6. Flexible
Goals should allow reasonable adjustments when internal or
external circumstances change.
7. Challenging
Goals should encourage employees to improve performance without
becoming impossible or discouraging.
8. Acceptable
Employees should understand and accept the goals. Participation
in goal setting can increase commitment.
9. Consistent
Departmental and individual goals should support one another and
should not create conflict.
10. Hierarchical
Goals should be arranged at organizational, departmental, team,
and individual levels.
11. Properly Communicated
Management must communicate goals clearly so that employees know
what is expected from them.
12. Performance-Oriented
Effective goals should contribute to productivity, quality,
efficiency, customer satisfaction, and organizational growth.
Example of an Effective Goal
“Increase annual sales revenue by 12 percent within the next
financial year by expanding digital marketing and entering two new
regional markets.”
This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and
time-bound. It also explains the broad method through which the
organization intends to achieve the target.
Conclusion:
Effective organizational goals act as a roadmap. They guide planning,
motivate employees, improve coordination, and provide standards for
performance measurement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an organization in simple words?
An organization is a group of people who work together through a
structured system to achieve common goals.
Why is organization important in management?
Organization divides work, assigns authority, establishes
responsibility, improves coordination, and supports efficient use
of resources.
What is the difference between formal and informal organization?
A formal organization is officially created by management with
defined rules and authority. An informal organization develops
naturally through personal and social relationships.
What is the main purpose of organizational goals?
Organizational goals provide direction, guide planning, motivate
employees, and establish standards for measuring results.
What does SMART goal mean?
SMART means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and
Time-Bound.
Final Conclusion
Organization is a central concept in management. It provides the
structure through which people, duties, authority, and resources are
combined to achieve common objectives.
The goal formation process helps an organization transform its
mission and vision into practical targets. Different types of
organization are suitable for different ownership structures,
purposes, and operational requirements. Effective goals ensure that
organizational activities remain focused, measurable, coordinated,
and result-oriented.
BBS 1st Year students should understand these concepts rather than
memorizing individual sentences. A clear understanding of Unit 1
creates a strong foundation for studying planning, leadership,
communication, motivation, control, and other major areas of
management.
For additional BBS notes, model questions, old question papers, and
exam preparation materials, visit SanKush Edits.