OD组织发展必读书：卓有成效的组织

The English book "Structure in Fives: Designing Effective Organizations" is directly translated to "五种结构：设计有效的组织". It was first published in 1982 and has a recommended rating of 5 stars. The author, Henry Mintzberg, is a renowned Western management expert and organizational theory specialist. This book is one of Mintzbergs representative works and also his proudest accomplishment.

The book is divided into four parts. The first part discusses the five major components of an organization, the second part covers the five coordinating mechanisms, and the third part explains the five basic structures or configuration methods of an organization.

Part three describes five different organizational structures:

1. Simple structure - characterized by simplicity and volatility, this structure has no hierarchy or departments, with the boss making all decisions.

2. Bureaucratic structure - designed for efficiency, power is delegated to managers who enforce various rules and regulations.

3. Professional bureaucracy - operates in a complex yet stable environment, where knowledge and technology are used.

4. Divisional structure - based on product lines or geographic regions, this structure belongs to the industrial age.

5. Adhocracy structure - an organic structure that is highly adaptable and agile, making it suitable for complex innovation needs.

Part four covers the importance of the five different ways organizations operate within these structures.

In reality, organizations usually consist of a mixture of these structures. Knowing these structures helps in analyzing or designing organizational structures, and choosing the best structure depends on the organizations environment and characteristics. The five structures serve as a basic framework for making the decision. For organizational development practitioners, the five structures are an invaluable reference.