STAR Typology (Not a Theory) Click on links to learn more… People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Technology

Focus on: People People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Basics of individual and small group behavior: motivation theories, decision heuristics and biases, etc. People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Technology

Focus on: Infrastructure Organizational policies and procedures: Hiring rules, performance appraisal, compensation, training ops, etc. Focus on: Infrastructure People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Technology

Focus on: Technology People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Two aspects: IT systems & tool, Methods used to do the work – e.g., long-linked, mediating, or intensive Context Technology

Focus on: Context People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Strategy, industry, economic outlook, global setting; things not covered by other four elements. Context Technology

Focus on: Structure People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Chain of command: Organizational structure (e.g., functional, divisional), role of teams, virtual corporation. People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Technology

Use of the STAR Not a theory, a sorting tool Guide to an organizational analysis What questions to ask Where to look for problems Organizations are systems Can’t change just one thing Organizations are complex systems Can’t change everything all at once

Example: Compensation Both psychology and organization policies should be considered: Expectancy theory & goal setting key. Structure not a likely key issue. People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Cost of living could also play a secondary role IT systems could play a role, but not as major as People or Infrastructure Context Technology

Example: Knowledge Management Processes of tacit and explicit knowledge transfer key. Reward systems must support Physical and temporal location of team members or communities of practice may play a role People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Language a possible secondary issue IT generally how knowledge management is implemented Context Technology

Example: Outsourcing People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Context Issues of individuals and group functioning may or may not matter – dependent on form of outsourcing Location, Virtual Corporation issues play a major role People Infrastructure/ Systems Structure Language, culture possible secondary issues Thing to be outsourced known or needs to be invented? Systemic or Autonomous to org function? Context Technology