Types of Formal Organizations

Groups and Organization SOCI 1306 Types of Formal Organizations Amitai Etzioni, a sociologist, proposed in 1975 that formal organizations—basic institutions in society—may be divided into three groups according to the type of membership and the motivations for joining. Organisations falling within these three kinds are utilitarian, coercive, and normative. Every kind of organisation has a distinct function within the social structure and affects its constituents in a different way. Membership in normative organisations, also referred to as voluntary organisations, is defined by a common set of values and interests. People are frequently driven to join these organisations voluntarily out of a desire for intangible benefits. Joining these clubs provides a substantial sense of personal fulfilment, a sense of community, and a common goal. The advantages that members of normative organisations enjoy are immaterial, in contrast to those of coercive or utilitarian organisations. Two instances of normative organisations are a ski club and the Audubon Society. These organisations draw people who are enthusiastic about particular issues or pursuits because they offer a feeling of community and fulfilment that comes from helping to achieve a common objective. Social bonds, a feeling of identity, and the fulfilment that comes from doing worthwhile things are just a few of the inherent benefits of belonging to these kinds of groups. On the other side, coercive organisations are those that people are compelled to join. Membership is imposed onto people by force or mandate rather than being a choice. Correctional facilities and rehabilitation centres are two instances of coercive organisations. Erving Goffman (1961), a symbolic interactionist, defined total institutions as the majority of coercive organisations. A whole institution is a location where people live under strict rules and regulations and are isolated from the outside world. Complete resocialization takes place in these environments as prisoners or military personnel go through strict procedures meant to eradicate their former identities and implant new standards and behaviours supportive of the organization's objectives. Strict routines, standardisation, and monitoring characterise daily life in an institution, with the goal of creating conformity and controlling people's ideas and behaviours. Utilitarian organisations comprise the third group, which people join in order to receive certain tangible benefits. Organisations such as companies and high schools are utilitarian. Individuals join these groups with defined, measurable objectives in mind, such as generating money, obtaining a certificate, or developing specialised skills. In order for people to achieve socioeconomic stability and mobility, these organisations are necessary. For instance, high schools offer the training and credentials required for chances at future study or work. Workplaces provide people with the money they need to sustain their families and themselves. The interaction between an individual and an organisation in a utilitarian setting is mostly transactional. Members put in time and effort to get tangible advantages that improve their quality of life, such income or academic degrees. These categories demonstrate the variety of ways that formal organisations impact their members and function within society. Normative organisations provide people a feeling of purpose and belonging by attending to their social and emotional needs. Coercive organisations use intense and frequently restrictive tactics to establish control over people and attempt to change them. Practical and financial requirements are met by utilitarian organisations, allowing people to accomplish certain life objectives. Comprehending these differences aids in clarifying the complex characteristics of social structure and the diverse functions these things perform in influencing both personal and societal experiences. In conclusion, Etzioni's division of formal organisations into utilitarian, coercive, and normative categories offers a framework for comprehending the many reasons people join these groups and the various ways in which they influence their constituents. Utilitarian organisations give the material advantages required for both personal and professional growth, normative organisations provide intangible incentives and promote a feeling of community, while coercive organisations exercise control and strive for resocialization. This typology highlights how intricately formal groupings regulate human relationships and society functioning, as well as how complicated social organisation is.