CHAPTER TWELVE DIMENSIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

Key Ideas Organizations differ widely along a number of dimensions. These differences affect clients and employees. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Purpose The purpose of an organization provides the rationale for the organization’s existence: Organizations sanctioned by the law Organizations with service goals Organizations arising from social movements © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Structures of Governance Organizational structure defines the way members, tasks, and units relate to one another: Bureaucracies Project teams Functional structures © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Internal Power Relations Organizations have overt and covert power arrangements: Traditional authority Charismatic authority Rational/legal authority © 2011 Taylor & Francis