Outsourcing - The Reality on Your Organization - Nu Leadership Series

Men cease to interest us when we find theirstructure that allows them to response faster to
limitations. The sin is limitations. As soon as you oncemarket actions. Authors Nadler and Tushman argue
come up to a man's limitations, it is all over with him.that a manager's organization design should seek
Emersonbalance between organizational effectiveness through
Why should a leader analyze if outsourcing corethe work processes and corporate culture. This
functions of his organization is a good thing? As wecorporate culture relates to impacts on employees,
have discussed previously, organizations formgroup relationships, and political dynamics.
socio-technical systems. In simple language, oneGone are the days of traditional organizations,
action can influence other parts of the system.designed with pyramids of boxes. Today's
Hoffman, a leadership guru, argues that valuesorganizations follow the Doughnut Principle. The
determine the course that an organization takes.structure centers on a small organization with a small
Handy, an organizational strategist, describescore of key personnel and a portfolio of support
outsourcing and organizational structure as anotherstaff around that core. Utilizing the Doughnut Principle,
kind of paradox.the new organizational structure consists of a core
Handy notes that businesses outsource theirteam and its strategic partners; these strategic
unproductive functions, thereby getting rid of surpluspartners include traditional suppliers, independent
people. Clearly, organizational structure is impacted byprofessionals, and part-time workers.
corporate culture. Outsourcing creates an atmosphereRoutinely, businesses put their material suppliers in
where employees are merely physical beings.their corporate doughnut. However, increasingly
Employees distrust management. Managers are leeryorganizations are outsourcing critical business
of staff. According to a USA Today poll, nearly halffunctions. Handy notes that short-term gains may
of those interviewed said that corporations can beresult in long-term damage if a demoralized service
trusted only a little, or not at all, when it involvesfails to meet the organizational demands. Many
looking out for the best interest of employees.advocate the doughnut structure because of its
Clearly, companies shouldn't be limited in theirflexibility. However, companies that become too
management options. Galbraith, author of Designingdependent on one supplier are placing their
Organizations, argues that organizations competeorganizations at risk.
with others in an era of temporary advantages.Furthermore, in order to maintain optimum balance,
Cutting out parts of an organization's function toNadler and Tushman maintain that managers should
meet short terms gains is a business mistake. On theadapt in the following ways: (a) develop a
contrary, Galbraith maintains that low-and medium-skillrudimentary understanding organization design for an
levels should be being eliminated by either automationinherent competitive advantage and (b) recognize
or outsourcing. The primary reason for claim is thateffective organizational design as ongoing. Therefore,
the costs of coordinating fragmented, interdependent21st century businesses must carefully implement any
tasks are too high in a rapidly changing environment.strategies impacting their organizations in this hostile,
Organizations are increasingly moving to a marketglobal environment.