Understanding Management: Oxfam's Organizational Structure Analysis

This report, prepared for the UMAN3011 Understanding Management module at GSM London, analyzes Oxfam's organizational structure, which is identified as hierarchical. The report discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this structure, including its impact on decision-making. It explores the importance of organizational culture, ways to improve it, and the role of effective communication, both internal and external, in achieving organizational goals. The assignment also includes a reflective summary of the knowledge gained through the module, focusing on management competencies, organizational functions, and key principles of management. The report highlights the skills developed and areas for future improvement, along with a skills log and references.

Running head: UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT
Understanding Management

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 2
Table of Contents
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
Nature of Oxfam’s organisational structure.................................................................................3
Reason of adopting this type of organisational structure.............................................................3
Ways to lead the employees to achieve the consistency and success..........................................4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................4
Importance of organisational culture...........................................................................................4
Ways of culture can help organisations such as Oxfam achieve its purpose...............................5
Task 3 Ways of communication with its importance......................................................................6
Internal Communication..............................................................................................................6
External Communication.............................................................................................................7
Task 4...............................................................................................................................................7
Short reflective summary.............................................................................................................7
Knowledge gained through Module.............................................................................................8
Highlight the things you are now able to do and things you will do differently.........................9
Complete and attach your building skills log...............................................................................9
References......................................................................................................................................10

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 3
Task 1
Nature of Oxfam’s organizational structure
Oxfam uses hierarchical organizational structure wherein, this structure tends for reassembly the
pyramids with the maximum extents of authority and power at the very top. It also provides the
responsibilities and authorities to the top side of the corporation and makes them flow down
from higher to lower level progressively. This model acts like a pyramid as well as, centralizes
all duties and power on individuals who stand on the top of an organizational structure (Welford,
2016).
Reason for adopting this type of organizational structure
Advantage – Clear Chain of Command
Under the hierarchical structure of Oxfam, members understand to whom they report as well as,
who reports to them. It indicates that communication gets channeled with predictable and
specified a path, which permits those higher within an organization for direct questions to an
appropriate party (Chang, 2016).
Advantage – Specialty
Hierarchical structure of Oxfam classifies these fields of issues in several branch configurations
for concentrating on each activity. In addition to this, specialization permits the company to
focus on specific skills sets as well as resources for attaining higher efficiency (Laudon, and
Laudon, 2016).
Disadvantage – Poor Flexibility
A hierarchical structure of Oxfam is tending for adapting gradually to transforming
requirements. Furthermore, organizations that cannot implement the demand of latest market

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 4
demands and advancing technologies in speed with or in advance of other companies frequently
finish the marginalized. This issue may influence the management of companies (Baker, 2017).
Disadvantage –Barriers of Communication
Departmental specialty in Oxfam could direct to barriers of communication while no shared
jargon occurs that permit members of several branches to interact on same extent. In worst-case
condition, departments intentionally withhold data from each other (Crişan, Stegerean, Crişan,
and Afrăsinei-Zevoianu, 2018).
Ways to lead the employees to achieve consistency and success
As a manager, different ways are applied by me to lead the workforces for attaining success and
consistency. The manager should develop an open-door communication policy as it permits their
workforces to interact with any concerns. There are some employees who resist having a
discussion. As a manager, I kept the communication opportunity available. I also offer different
ways for employees to interact with. An employee can send emails and use the telephone to
achieve consistency and success throughout the consistency (Nunhes, Barbosa, and de Oliveira,
2017).
As a manager, I would allow each employee to participate. They ensure each employee can raise
the voice about an organization. Each employee should feel they are contributed to the goal of
employees. Moreover, when the contribution of employees has a favorable impact, then this data
should be evaluated at the time of the next meeting. In addition, employee recognition is
supportive for keeping productive work setting (Nath and Satardekar, 2015).
Task 2
Importance of organizational culture

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 5
Culture direct various ways to the employees in order to converse in an appropriate manner at
their work station. An effective culture enables the workforce to make them loyal and
encouraged with respect to the management. Culture of the workstation leads the employees of
the organization to promote a healthy environment at the workstation. Hence, employees give
their extra efforts to do their job in a better way as compared to other employees as well as make
their unique image and attain gratitude of their superiors. Healthy culture in the workplace
positively encourages the workforce to perform their job effectively (Urbach and Ahlemann,
2016).
All companies should have set proper guidelines for their employees to perform in an appropriate
way. Different types of predefined policies which are developed by the company lead the
employees of the organization to offer them an accurate sense of direction at the workstation.
These policies assist every employee to gain a proper understanding about their responsibilities
and roles in the company and also know the ways of accomplishing their allocated tasks before
completing the deadlines (Brannen, Piekkari, and Tietze, 2017).
Due to the appropriate understanding of all employees of the organization towards their
responsibilities and roles, they make every effort to complete their specified task in the expected
time duration according to the predetermined guidelines. In this way, when people follow the
guidelines of culture then policies could be easily implemented in the organization. Fresher
employees also give their utmost efforts to comprehend knowledge towards the working culture
and feel free to perform their task at the workplace (Vidgen, Shaw, and Grant, 2017).
Ways of culture can help organizations such as Oxfam achieve its purpose
Talk about Values

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 6
At the time of the recruiting procedure, the company should be sure regarding the culture and
values in front of candidates as it helps them for making a better decision. The company should
not stop talking regarding the values and cultures of the firm at the time of the interview
procedure. It should ensure that on-boarding practices develop clear expectation hence new
joining will comprehend the culture from starting (Nath and Satardekar, 2015).
Recognize Achievements and Contributions of Employees
A company should recognize achievements as well as contributions of workforces. It should be
supportive for enhancing loyalty and satisfaction between workforces. The company should
recognize the anniversaries, significant milestones as well as, the birthday of employees. It
would demonstrate the care of company among employees (Nunhes, Barbosa, and de Oliveira,
2017).
Task 3 Ways of communication with its importance
There are two manners that a manager could use to interact significantly with my team members
in order to keep them updated with data, actions, address their issues, and rebuild their trust in
management. These are internal and external ways of communication (Chang, 2016).
Internal Communication
Internal communication could encourage, reprimand, and notify the business. For example,
internal communications could be email messages, phone calls, memos, as well as, instant
message. A manager may release a mass email regarding the future meeting. Along with this, the
company reports disperse data regarding the profits of last year and the goal of this year
(Welford, 2016).
Face-to-Face

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Firms practice face to face internal communication within promotion, demotions, training, as
well as, other fields of organizations. Whereas, managers could deal different tasks with the
written communication, face to face interaction and in-person is more individual along with,
opens the door for exchanging words by verbally (Laudon, and Laudon, 2016).
External Communication
There are different kinds of external workplace interaction such as internet websites, advertising
as well as, faxes. In addition to this, company website endorses the business, permits business to
demonstrate products as well as, services. Faxes permit the business to interact over long spaces,
in writing hence there is paper trace about interaction efforts on some part (Welford, 2016).
Moreover, external interaction is not only facilitating the consumers but also, could be applied to
place orders of inventory to vendors, assess rivalry as well as, plan for future. Along with this, a
phone call to rivalry provides the pricing data to the business. In addition to this, email to
prospect consumer’s alert the business to potential deals as well as, bargains (Baker, 2017).
Advertising
It is a kind of external interaction. Placing advertising is effective for highlighting the products
and services and sells the products to an external environment. A well-made advertisement could
remind them to label a business when requirements do create even if customers who do not have
need of services (Crişan, et. al., 2018).
Task 4
Short reflective summary
Throughout the module, I have developed my experience in different managerial skills and
organizational functions. In this way, I have learned that different managerial competencies are
planning, delegation, decision making, communication, motivation, as well as, problem-solving.

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These competencies would be applied by me within an organization. I have also created my
knowledge about organization functions. In this way, I have learned that organizing is the
function that entails the development of organizational structure as well as, allocating the human
resources for making sure the attainment of objectives. I would apply this knowledge within an
organization (Chang, 2016).
Knowledge gained through Module
From the module, I have created my knowledge about the principles of management. These
philosophies of management are an authority, subordination of individual interest, division of
work, discipline, unity of direction, the unity of command, and remuneration. Another principle
of management is scalar chain, centralization, the stability of tenure of personnel, order, and
equity, initiatives, as well as, team spirit. I would apply this learning in business to make my
bright future career. I have also increased my learning regarding the nature of culture. In this
way, I have observed that culture is an attitude, customs, behaviour patterns, and values that
feature a social group. It is also pointed out that culture is a way where a specific group of people
lives such as shared understanding, physical objects, values, and physical objects. I would apply
this knowledge in the future (Baker, 2017).
I have enhanced my learning about communication. In this way, I have learned that
communication is the act of transferring data through one place, individual, and set of persons to
another. I would apply this knowledge to make communication in the business.
I have also increased my understanding of business planning. In this way, I have learned that the
business plan is a written description of the future of business and document that explains
regarding a plan to perform within the business. I would apply this knowledge in the future.

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 9
Throughout the module, it was taught to me about the organizational structure. In this way, I
have learned that organizational structure is supporting the company for assigning the hierarchy
that illustrates the roles, accountability as well as, supervision (Urbach and Ahlemann, 2016).
I have also enhanced my learning regarding change management. In such a manner, I have
learned that change management is procedure, techniques, and methods for organizing an
individual side of change to attain the potential results of a business. I would apply this
knowledge in the future within the business.
Activities that I am now able to perform and things I will do differently
Before attending the module, I have lack of knowledge regarding the business functions. But
after, attending the module, I have created my understanding of the organizational structure,
change management as well as, business functions. Now, I am able to perform within an
organization in a significant manner and thing that I will do differently in business is
participating in change management of business (Nath and Satardekar, 2015). It would be
effective for making a future career in business.
Complete and attach your building skills log
Weeks Skills that I have developed
throughout the module
1 Time management plan
2 Management functions
3 Organizational structure
4 Change Management
5 Corporate, business and
functional strategies
6 Fundamentals of Management
7 key components of the
communication process
8 Leadership
9 Structure of effective reports
10 Fundamentals of Management

UNDERSTANDING MANAGEMENT 10
References
Baker, T., 2017. Management Myth# 4—A Business is Best Organized around Functions.
In Performance Management for Agile Organizations (pp. 107-124). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Brannen, M.Y., Piekkari, R. and Tietze, S., 2017. The multifaceted role of language in
international business: Unpacking the forms, functions, and features of a critical challenge to
MNC theory and performance. In Language in international business (pp. 139-162). Palgrave
Macmillan, Cham.
Chang, J.F., 2016. Business process management systems: strategy and implementation.
Auerbach Publications.
Crişan, E., Stegerean, R., Crişan, C. and Afrăsinei-Zevoianu, C., 2018. the use of a four
management functions perception tool to diagnose organizational management practices: a case
study. Managerial Challenges of the Contemporary Society. Proceedings, 11(1), p.1.
Laudon, K.C. and Laudon, J.P., 2016. Management information system. Pearson Education.
Nath, S. and Satardekar, K., 2015. HRIS: The Convergence of Information Technology and
Human Resource Management Functions in Modern Business Environment. Journal of
Exclusive Management Science, 4(12), pp.1-10.
Nunhes, T.V., Barbosa, L.C.F.M. and de Oliveira, O.J., 2017. Identification and analysis of the
elements and functions integrable in integrated management systems. Journal of cleaner
production, 142, pp.3225-3235.
Urbach, N. and Ahlemann, F., 2016, April. Digitalization as a risk: Security and business
continuity management are central cross-divisional functions of the company. In Computer
Science On-line Conference (pp. 85-92). Springer, Cham.

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Vidgen, R., Shaw, S. and Grant, D.B., 2017. Management challenges in creating value from
business analytics. European Journal of Operational Research, 261(2), pp.626-639.
Welford, R., 2016. Corporate environmental management 3: Towards sustainable development.
Routledge.