How do mechanistic and organic organizations differ?

"Structural design generally follows one of the two basic models described in Table 7.3: mechanistic or organic. A mechanistic organization is characterized by a relatively high degree of job specialization, rigid departmentalization, many layers of management (particularly middle management), narrow spans of control, centralized decision-making, and a long chain of command. This combination of elements results in what is called a tall organizational structure. The U.S. Army and the United Nations are typical mechanistic organizations. In contrast, an organic organization is characterized by a relatively low degree of job specialization, loose departmentalization, few levels of management, wide spans of control, decentralized decision-making, and a short chain of command. This combination of elements results in what is called a flat organizational structure. Colleges and universities tend to have flat organizational structures, with only two or three levels of administration between the faculty and the president. Exhibit 7.9 shows examples of flat and tall organizational structures. Mechanistic versus Organic Structure: Structural Characteristic—Mechanistic—Organic; Job specialization—High—Low; Departmentalization—Rigid—Loose; Managerial hierarchy (levels of management)—Tall (many levels)—Flat (few levels); Span of control—Narrow—Wide; Decision-making authority—Centralized—Decentralized; Chain of command—Long—Short."