Contingency Design

The process of determining the degree of environmental uncertainty and adapting the organization and its subunits to the situation

—         How much environmental uncertainty is there?

—         What combination of structural characteristics is most appropriate?

Determining Degree of Environmental Uncertainty  

The Burns and Stalker Model

Mechanistic Organizations: Are rigid in design, rely on formal communications, and have strong bureaucratic qualities best suited to operating in relatively stable and certain environments

Organic Organizations: Have flexible structures, have participative communication patterns, and are successful in adapting to change in unstable and uncertain environments

Mechanistic versus Organic Organizations