An organization can be a company that seeks profits through its sales.
An organization is a system designed to achieve certain goals and objectives. These systems may, in turn, be made up of other related subsystems that fulfill specific functions.
The etymology of organization takes us to the Greek language. Specifically, this word comes from the word organón , which can be translated as "tool or instrument" .
The organization as a social group
An organization is called a social group made up of people, tasks and management activities , with interactions that occur within the framework of a systematic structure to achieve group objectives.
It should be noted that an organization can only exist when there are individuals who communicate and are willing to act in a coordinated manner to achieve its mission. Organizations operate through rules that have been established to fulfill their purposes.
It is also essential that for these organizations to be able to carry out the tasks entrusted to them and to achieve the goals they have set, it is necessary that they have a network of resources . These should include human, technological, economic, real estate, natural and intangible.
Citizen and state institutions
Citizen groups that are created to cover some social need are called civil organizations . Political parties, unions, sports clubs and NGOs are part of this group.
In the case of NGOs ( non-governmental organizations ), we must emphasize the fact that there are many of them around the world. They are characterized because they do not depend on any government and aim to achieve the well-being of human beings from various points of view.
Thus, for example, we find NGOs that are committed to improving working conditions, the environment, citizen participation and scientific research. Without forgetting those that promote humanitarian aid and the protection of children or the elderly.
On the other hand, organizations that are created by the State to carry out social tasks are known as government organizations . They are directed by the government and financed with public funds.
However, many other classifications of organizations can also be made based on other different criteria. In this way, we can catalog them by their location (local, regional, national or international), their ownership (private and public), their size (small, medium or large) and even by their purpose (for-profit and non-profit). profit).
Greenpeace is a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting the environment through volunteerism.
Management of an organization
The management of an organization refers to the various tasks that must be carried out for the entity to function. Although organizations can be very different from each other, there are variables that none of them can ignore.
It is important, in this framework, that the structure of the organization is well defined. It may have internal divisions such as departments, areas, offices, directorates or secretariats, which contain the work teams.
Hierarchies , on the other hand, must be clear. Whoever assumes the leadership of the organization has to assign roles and responsibilities precisely and must outline the strategy to follow to achieve the goals, being in charge of planning actions and coordinating human resources.
It is also relevant that there is an organizational culture linked to the values and vision of the entity. These issues must be transmitted to employees, members or volunteers through internal communication, promoting cooperation and collaboration in pursuit of the intended results.
Corporate image is important in the positioning of an organization.
Compliance with standards
Compliance with rules and regulations is essential for an organization to survive and develop. Otherwise, problems with the authorities may arise, as well as difficulties in all those matters that require formality.
In some cases, there are audits that are mandatory legal compliance. It may also be necessary for the organization to obtain certifications or permits to act within the framework of what is established by legislation.
Corporate social responsibility , meanwhile, is a concept that is associated with reputation. It goes beyond the legal level and reflects how, through certain actions that positively affect the community, it is possible to improve public relations and the image of the organization.
The organization of companies
Finally, we can refer to the concept of business organization , which refers to the organizational structure of work in the business environment. There are several elements that are key in this structure, such as bureaucracy, employment specialization, departmentalization, chain of command, decentralization and formalization.
The way in which companies are organized is studied by an administrative science called Business Administration , which analyzes the way in which resources and processes are managed. This administration is considered the basis of the operation of a company.
Currently, the organization of a company tends to make intensive use of technology . The automation of tasks, the digitization of documentation and the use of collaboration platforms for the execution of processes are common.
This digital transformation , although it provides numerous benefits, requires cybersecurity measures to be taken. The company has to invest to guarantee the security of internal information, protecting data privacy, for example.
It cannot be omitted to mention that technological innovation also allows introducing an organizational change in the work activity itself. In-person work, in many cases, is no longer essential, being replaced by teleworking (that is, remote work). In turn, decision making and problem solving can be carried out in a more agile way with these resources.