Introduction to Administrative Studies

by Dr. Len Karakowsky

Course Kit Table of Contents Assignment Discussion Group Internet Links Frequently Asked Questions

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Welcome to the world of business, management and organizations! Who should be interested in such a study? Well, from our schools to our hospitals to our multi-national corporations, much of our daily lives are somehow connected to organizations. In this sense, I believe that an understanding of the nature of organizations and the context within which they operate should be of interest to just about anyone. Whether you are a student or professional, "business-type" or "non-business type", examining the nature of organizations and their environment means that we are also developing a greater awareness of issues that affect us all.

We read or hear news reports daily about the tremendous political and economic upheaval occurring across the world. It is quite clear that we live in a rapidly changing environment. This is equally true for the environment of business. There are a myriad of factors that are creating new challenges and opportunities for business organizations:

 
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We continue to see the huge impact of technology on work and how it is conducted and designed.

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Organizations have been "re-designing" themselves, whether it is in the form of restructuring, re-engineering, downsizing and the like.

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The global economy and the globalization of business are issues that are dramatically affecting many aspects of our business sector.

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We have witnessed important changes in the relationship of government and business, and have observed the consequences of these changes.

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The relationship of business with society itself continues to undergo change, and we continue to question what role business should play, if any, in our basic well-being, and whether indeed organizations need to become more "socially responsible".

Given the myriad of factors that are generating rapid change in the work-place, a narrow-minded approach to managing organizations is now completely unacceptable. Indeed to survive and prosper in today's business world requires an understanding of the broader issues that organizations face - the social, political and economic context within which they operate. The fundamental aim of these units is to introduce you to many of these critical concerns facing today's organizations.

In broad terms, all the units together are intended to help you make clearer sense of "what's going on out there". That is, the aim of these units is to help you develop a better understanding of the nature of organizations, and how they are managed. In addition, these units will present issues of central concern to the Canadian business context. Of course the ultimate goal is to encourage you to think critically about organizations and the context within which they operate. There is little doubt that an understanding of the issues raised within these units is essential for any individual who wishes to be better prepared to deal with the variety of challenges and opportunities present in the work-place of today and tomorrow!