REFLECTIONS

Organizations and systems are present all around us, be it man-made or in nature, organization is apparent even in being disorganized. In the process of structuring one collects, creates, arranges, constructs and deconstructs. Structures of thinking allow one to generate systems and processes for themselves and others, to manage better, similarly, an organization's process is made of several coordinates which act together to run and function.

The question that emerges here is, how does one determine the workability of a structure beyond the logic of cost and time, and what could be the coordinates of efficiency? The smooth functioning of networks, management and organizations aren't centred around one person but the effort of multiple people. This said an individual cannot be the pivot of an organization as systems will cease to function. With the intensity of systems increasing with the scale and the gamut of agencies involved communication and conversations are important.

A network requires working in teams which needs empathy and understanding of other people's thoughts and feelings. Hence, even though structuring is said to be an extremely technical process, it involves emotions. Every situation gives one different choice and the choices depend on multiple factors. A system needs to be inclusive and understandable to everyone and not just one individual, and agile as they shouldn’t stop for anyone.

Over the years factory management systems and theories like Taylorism and Fordism aimed to make organizations more standardized, efficient and productive by studying their work process closely. These systems conditioned the managers and the bosses to become the thinkers while the workers became the do-ers who would simply follow directions. Here, efficiency is only seen as a mode of production that lacks the ideas of personalization and customization.

The outcomes of these systems are mixed but we observe that the advantages only benefit the ones in power. The boost in productivity and efficiency, and fewer no. of workers meant more profits for the company. Companies often failed to pay their employees and it also normalized the ideology that the managers are the thinkers and the workers are only meant to take their orders. This de-skilled the worker and reduced their ability by separating them from the greater meaning of the work they were doing.

Companies often employ divide and rule policies to get the most out of their employees which tend to give rise to unhealthy competition. This structure does not nurture or allow for friendships and networks which play a significant role in everyone's life. Evaluation in bureaucratic structures is thought of as a method to instil accountability, but in actuality, it also brings with it, a bounded system that leaves little room for one’s own free will. According to Reed Hastings, the CEO of Netflix, leading with context becomes more important than leading with control. It gives more freedom to employees and encourages them to work together as a team to make better decisions.

In the studio, different organizational structures and work dynamics were explored through cases of smaller offices, individual ventures, corporate offices, events and activities. While dealing with rules and institutional frameworks, discussions around these local practices become crucial. Connecting to various individuals, organizations, and manuals, led to a greater understanding to build new systems of organizations and explore newer patterns of networks, mutuality, and friendships. Through a series of online lectures in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access, the studio opened up a new medium/ tool for management and sorting. This study aimed at generating, processing and organizing data to make it easily accessible and understandable to anyone in a given organization.

In the contemporary context, organizations need to venture beyond the rudimental ideas of efficiency and truly connect people, have fun and learn from collective involvement. Setting coordinates along the ideas of context, strengthening networks by giving space for conversations, designing the form of life and focusing on improving the quality of life, makes these systems inclusive, celebratory and sensitive to individual effort and interaction.