Introduction
Organizational structure can be described as the hierarchical arrangement of people and departments that determine how authority, communication, rights and duties are performed in the organization. A well organized structure is instrumental to the success and performance improvement of any organization. This paper discusses how Pfizer Inc., the world’s largest pharmaceutical company has organized its structure (Pfizer Inc., 2007). The focus is also on the necessary adjustments needed to make the organization effective in effecting its operational planning.
Is there a relationship between an aspect of the structure and a problem in the business?
There is a problem between the aspect of the structure and a problem in the Pfizer organization because the shareholders are not fully engaged in the decisions of the company (Pfizer Inc., 2007). There is a gap between the top management team and shareholders. In this case, the engagement process is not clear. This creates conflicts in the organization because the shareholders feel that their decisions are not valued (Kondalkar, 2009).
Breakdown in the component of the structure
There is a breakdown in the component of the structure. Thus, the Board of Directors (BoD) is separated from the shareholders. In normal circumstances, the BoD should work hand-in-hand with the shareholders in developing the policies of the company (Druckman, Singer, Van, & National Research Council (U.S.), 1997).
Is the structure a framework or a product of the way the organization does business?
The structure of the company is a framework because the company manufactures several products. Being the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Inc. deals with different pharmaceutical products.
Pfizer organization’s challenges, solutions, resource needs and their success metrics
From the organizational structure of Pfizer organization, we learn that the company is facing several challenges which include; lack of engagement of shareholders in the process of making decisions. The board of directors should include the shareholders while making decisions for the company. Involving the shareholders is vital because they get to understand the organization’s activities. The success metric will be getting feedback from the shareholders about the decisions made. Secondly, the companies policies and documents are not consolidated. The board of directors together with the shareholders should consolidate the documents and policies because the company may be required to have an effective system of documentation with the aspects of the shareholders’ policy documents, processes and implementations. The metric of success in this case is the consolidation of documents and policies.
The third challenge is that the shareholders only meet once a year. They should meet regularly as this will enhance operational planning. Since operational planning is done regularly, the shareholders will improve the engagement of top management hence the success of the company. The metric of success will be the effect of operational planning and the improved performance of the organization. The fourth challenge is that the company allows the outside directors to hold meetings in the absence of the management. The directors should engage management in their meetings to enhance the performance of the operational managers and make them feel like a family and appreciated. The increased idea generation and performance improvement will be used as a metric for success. The company also lacks transparency. Pfizer should develop transparency by disclosing information for good practice. There is a need for being transparent as this will help the management, communities, and the wider public to access information for good practice. The extent at which the communities and the wider public will access information about Pfizer will help to measure the transparency of the organization.
Conclusion
Organizational structure determines the improvement and success of any organization. To perfect the structure of the organizations, enhancing or several adjustments are necessary to effect operational activities for the better. Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company is still required to make adjustments to its organizational structure to gain competitive advantage. Technology changes and advances every single day and so should organizations, at all costs. A Pfizer company needs to find solutions or need to make adjustments to make sure that; the shareholders engage in decision making, the company’s documents and policies are consolidated, shareholders meet regularly, the directors involve the management in their meetings and that the company develops transparency.
References
Druckman, D., Singer, J. E., Van, C. H. P., & National Research Council (U.S.). (1997). Enhancing organizational performance. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press.
Kondalkar, V.G. (2009). Organization development. [S.l.]: New Age International Pvt.
Pfizer Inc. (2007). Organisational Information. Web.