Customer Reviews

Corporate Tides: The Inescapable Laws of Organizational Structure

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Fritz makes some excellent points here about identifying and resolving structural conflicts in organizations. As a 30 or 40 page article, with numerous real-life examples, it would have been an excellent "primer". As a full length read, though, you walk away feeling somewhat cheated: *There's no discussion of how to actually diagnose structure conflicts (which you need to make use of these concepts). *No mention of how to address more complex structural conflicts, where the resolution would have to occur over time. *And the discussion of "structural tension" provided here is just one piece of what you need to design an effective organization. Two other concerns: (1) The book is decidedly skimpy on real company examples. (2) The numerous pitches for Fritz's consulting and training practice become downright grating. Good ideas here, but not well presented.

With a couple of best selling bookings to his credit, consultant Robert Fritz integrates his creative tension concept with a new definition of organizational structure. Redefining structure, (from what most of us would know as the fixed reporting relationships within an organization), to apparently mean any comprehensive organizational concept (Organizational purpose, business strategy, management strategy, current reality, etc.), Fritz argues that these `structures' consume all singular organizational initiatives, according to his nine, inescapable, laws of organizational structure:
1. Organizations either oscillate or advance.
2. In organizations that oscillate, success is neutralized. In ones that advance, success succeeds.
3. When structural conflicts dominate an organization, an organizational oscillation will result.
4. An inadequate organizational structure cannot be fixed, but we can move from an inadequate to a suitable structure.
5. When structural tension dominates an organization it will advance.
6. If the organization's structure remains unchanged, the organization's behavior will revert back to the previous behavior.
7. A change in structure leads to a change of the organization's behavior.
8. The values that dominate an organization will displace other competing lesser values
9. When a senior organizing principle is absent, the organization will oscillate

If these laws confuse you, or if this definition of 'structure' is difficult to comprehend, do not feel alone, this 'structural' is not the way most of us were taught to think, according to Fritz. A solution is to attend one of his seminars, where you will learn to think structurally. Or, you could accept this book as a promotion of the field of structural consulting, which was founded by the author.

A quote from the late W Edwards Deming reads: "94% of all problems in business and organizations are problems with structure and system, only 6% are problems with people." Who in your organization is the authority on these subjects? Unfortunately, at the age of 93 W. Edwards Deming passed away on Dec. 20th of 1993. Robert Fritz is today's authority and leading thinker about structure and system which will be critical to understand for success during this next century. Why are school children told what to think before being taught how to think? K-12 and university, collge teachers must incorporate Fritz's work if our children are to have a real competitive chance at a decent future. Corporate Tides is written very clearly using step by step logic, Quick Reviews, Laws and Axioms which makes the information easy to digest and incorporate. No matter what your current occupation, the work of Robert Fritz will greatly enhacnce your creative ability by providing knowledge of how to develop dynamic, resolving structures that lead to sucess. Sincerely, Russell W. Kukla PS: Why are school children told WHAT to memorize before being taught HOW to memorize? The basic structure used for building a powerful memory ability is the same basic structure that Robert Fritz teaches. Structure is everwhere?

This is the textbook for building successful organizations and gaining control of unruly ones. A book for smart business people who will not be deceived by its apparent simplicity