In the last byte,
we looked at the various orientations that differentiate different
tasks and the various types there in. In today’s byte, we look the
horizontal differentiation.
we looked at the various orientations that differentiate different
tasks and the various types there in. In today’s byte, we look the
horizontal differentiation.
Horizontal
differentiation refers to the degree of differentiation between
organizational subunits and is based on employee’s specialized
knowledge, education, or training. An example of the above could be two
university professors who teach specialized subjects in different
academic departments are subject to horizontal differentiation.
Horizontal differentiation increases with specialization and
departmentalization.
Specialization
refers to the particular grouping of activities performed by an
individual. The degree of specialization or the division of labor in the
organization gives an indication of how much training is needed, what
the scope of jobs, what individual characteristics are needed for job
holders etc
refers to the particular grouping of activities performed by an
individual. The degree of specialization or the division of labor in the
organization gives an indication of how much training is needed, what
the scope of jobs, what individual characteristics are needed for job
holders etc
It
is interesting to note that as specialization in a subject increases, a
specialized vocabulary also develops eg. “OB” would mean organizational
behavior to the professors of management and possibly “obstetrics” to
the professors in medicine.
is interesting to note that as specialization in a subject increases, a
specialized vocabulary also develops eg. “OB” would mean organizational
behavior to the professors of management and possibly “obstetrics” to
the professors in medicine.
The
more specialized the jobs within an organization the more departments
are differentiated within that organization (i.e. greater the
departmentalization). Departmentalization can be by function, product,
service, client, geography, process, or some combination of these.
more specialized the jobs within an organization the more departments
are differentiated within that organization (i.e. greater the
departmentalization). Departmentalization can be by function, product,
service, client, geography, process, or some combination of these.