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Figure 7.4: The Star Model (Galbrath, 2002)
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| Figure 7.4: The Star Model (Galbrath, 2002) 7.3.4 7-S-Model The 7-S-Model of the former McKinsey management consultants Peters and Waterman Jr. (1982) divide organizations into hard and soft factors. The hard factors cover elements more concrete and can be exposed with policy papers, plans and documentations on the development of the organization. The three hard or cold factors of an organization are 1) strategy, 2) structure, and 3) systems. The expression soft refers to substantially and only marginally concrete elements of an organization that can hardly be described. These elements develop permanently, and can be planed or controlled only limitedly because they are highly dependent on the members of the organization. These soft or warm factors are namely 4) skills, 5) staff, 6) style/culture, and 7) shared values / super ordinate goals (Fig. 7.5). While the hard factors are easier to test, the assessment of the soft factors is much more difficult - but they are at least as important for the organization. Effectively functioning organizations are characterized by 338 a coordinated balance of theses seven factors. In times of change and adjustment, it should be noted that the modification of one factor also impacts on the other factors. A well-functioning organization must aspire towards aright balance between the above introduced factors. In practice, it is often the case that leaders are only focusing on the hard factors. Peters and Waterman Jr. (1982) argue, however, that the most successful organizations put their attention also on the optimum balance of the soft factors as they can be decisive for success because new structures and strategies can barely be built on completely opposed cultures and values. This praxis proven model has the advantage that 1) it takes into consideration hard as well as soft factors, and 2) that it emphasizes the importance of a balance between those factors. Figure 7.5: The S Model (Peters & Waterman Jr, 1982) Download 3.37 Mb. Share with your friends:
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