ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY AND BUSINESS ETHICS: ASSESSING AOL TIME WARNER AND IBM
This research assesses AOL Time Warner and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) in relation to selected concepts of organizational theory and business ethics. Netscape, now a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner, serves as the external frame of reference company for the assessments of AOL Time Warner and IBM.
Selected Concepts of Organizational Theory and Business Ethics
Within the context of Strategy, Organizational Design, and Effectiveness, the concept providing the framework for the assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM is Porter's Competitive Strategies. Within the context of Organizational Structure, the concept providing the framework for the assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM is Functional, Divisional, and Geographic Designs. Within the context of Organizational Size, Life Cycle, and Control, the concept providing the framework for the assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM is the Balanced Scorecard. Within the context of Contemporary Trends in Organizational Design, the concept providing the framework for the assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM is Structural Designs for Global Operations. Within the context of Issues with Globalization, the concept providing the framework for the assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM is Westernization (Americanization) of Cultures.
The assessment of AOL Time Warner and IBM considers four issues in relation to each of the conceptual frameworks. These issues (stated in the form of questions) are as follows:
1. What kinds of structure did AOL Time Warner and IBM use, and how do those structures compare with the conceptual framework?
2. What are the justification for the strategies used by AOL Time Warner and IBM, and are the strategies compatible with the conceptual framework?
3. How could AOL Time Warner and IBM improve their strategies and organizational structu...