Formal and Informal Organization of Work


Introduction

An organisation that has established guidelines for personnel to follow is referred to as a formal organisation. For instance, a nurse might spend several years employed by the same official employer, a hospital. On the other side, an organisation that prioritises establishing social networks and relationships is referred to be an informal organisation. For example, remodelling your house or fixing your car.

Description-The organization of work refers to the work process and the organizational practices that influence job design.

What is the Formal Organization of Work?

A formally organized work environment has been carefully thought out, created, and approved by the appropriate authority. The formal structure of a group or organization consists of a set of rigid guidelines for behaviour and organizational structure that are typically documented in writing and purport to allow little room for interpretation.

What is the Informal Organization of Work?

The social structure that underpins practical collaboration among individuals is known as the informal organization. It is the aggregation of personal contacts, interactions, and the resulting grouping of persons. It is made up of a dynamic collection of interpersonal connections, social networks, groups of people who share interests, and emotional drives.

What is a Formal Organization in Social Work?

Formal organizations are social institutions with clearly defined hierarchies, as well as definite rules and objectives. These organizations' structures specify the allocation of responsibility and authority among organizational stakeholders because they are set up to achieve particular goals.

Characteristics of the Formal Organization of Work

  • Hierarchy of power and authority that results from the division of work

  • Policy, practice, and goal documentation and sharing

  • People work collectively, not individually, to accomplish a shared goal.

  • There is a defined chain of command for communication.

  • The organization has a set procedure for replacing members.

  • They survive across time and do not rely on certain people's presence or involvement.

Characteristics of Informal Organization of Work

  • Immigrants make up a substantial portion of the informal economy. The majority of the workers commute from rural areas to the metropolis in quest of jobs.

  • Low levels of education and low levels of ability are characteristics of workers in informal organizations of labour, they work in low-tech jobs because of this.

  • In comparison to the formal sector, finding a job in the informal sector is simpler.

  • Work in the unorganized sector pays poorly due to the low skill requirements and simple entry.

Benefits of the Formal Organization of Work

  • The formal organization lays out the relationships between the personnel in detail. Consequently, it is simpler to pile up obligations.

  • The unity of command is preserved by a defined line of commands.

  • There is no ambiguity or uncertainty regarding individual roles because the responsibilities of each member are clearly stated.

  • Rules and procedures are spelt out in great detail in formal organizations. As a result, the company is stable and is not in a chaotic state.

  • The attainment of organizational goals and objectives is the final result. This is because work cultures and interactions are organized and carefully thought out.

Benefits of Informal Organization of Work

  • Communication in this kind of organization is not required to follow a set chain. Instead, it can move via several paths. This suggests that informal organizations communicate far more quickly than formal ones do.

  • The informal structure makes sure that there is socialization inside the company. Members consequently feel a sense of belonging and job satisfaction.

  • Getting genuine comments and responses from informal organizations is difficult. As a result, informal organization hides many formal organizations' shortcomings.

Difference between the Formal and Informal Organization of Work

Formal organization of work Informal organization of work
An organization that has established guidelines for personnel to follow is referred to as a formal organization.An organization that prioritizes establishing social networks and relationships is referred to as an informal organization.
A formal organization's primary goal is to accomplish both its long-term and short-term objectives.The informal organization's primary goals are to foster positive social networks and work environments.
In a formal organization, authority is distributed on a scale. The hierarchy's boundaries are drawn around the personnel.The informal organization's members are all on an equal footing.
The management develops the formal organization.The members of an informal organization construct it on the spot. Personal relationships form the foundation of the organization.
A formal organization's top priority is goal accomplishment.The informal organization's first aim is to meet the social and psychological requirements of its personnel.

Examples

Churches, hospitals, schools, businesses, and other official organizations are examples. Work units that have been established by the organization are called formal groups. Other examples include committees or task forces for specific projects. The main types of formal organizations include utilitarian, normative, and coercive organizations.

Informal workplaces can include small businesses and agencies working with freelancers or short-term employees. For example, an informal workplace could be a family-run shop where employees assist the owner on weekends. Informal institutions—family and kinship structures, traditions and social norms—are not only important for development.

Conclusion

The social structure that underpins practical collaboration among individuals is known as the informal organization. The formal structure of a group or organization consists of a set of rigid guidelines for behaviour and organizational structure. In comparison to the formal sector, finding a job in the informal sector is simpler.

The informal structure makes sure that there is socialisation inside the company. This suggests that informal organisations communicate far more quickly than formal ones do.

FAQs

Q1. What are the objectives of formal and informal organizational structures?

Ans. Top management consciously creates formal organizations. On the other hand, members create informal organizations on their initiative. The purpose of a formal organization is to achieve organizational goals. Instead of creating a formal organization to meet their social and psychological requirements.

Q2. What roles do formally recognized organizations and unofficial groups have in a company's success?

Ans. Because there is a formalized process for making decisions and carrying out your instructions, the chain of command also maintains work processes under your control. A loosely defined organizational structure has the significant benefit of being extremely changeable.

Q3. What impact does the informal organization have on a company's performance?

Ans. Employees can create ties with coworkers thanks to the informal organization, which is one of its main advantages. This raises morale and worker unity generally. If coworkers get along well outside the workplace, they frequently yield superior results.

Updated on: 27-Feb-2023

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