Communication and Psychological Type in a Latent Matrix Organization: A Case Study
Abstract
This thesis examined the relationship between organizational structure and written communication in an Air Force test organization which had experienced difficulty in meeting established time limits for producing its technical reports. An analysis of the organizational structure was performed. Organizational documentation, comments made by members of the organization during interviews, and the researchers' personal observations were compared to current literature on the matrix organizational structure. The test organization was found to operate a variant of a matrix organization. To study the written communication process, the researchers interviewed selected individuals within the test organization and obtained their thoughts on the technical report preparation process. The interview responses were first analyzed for all the respondents as a group, and then by role groups and project teams. In general, the present technical report preparation process was considered to be adequate. Problems with the time requirements and the level of review and signature were noted, however. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, based on Carl Jung's theory of psychological types, was used to assess the information gathering and information processing preferences of the individuals who participated in this research effort. The teams were found to be mostly ISTJ. No relationship between communication style preferences and timeliness of reports was seen. While some problems with the report process were noted, no distinct relationship between the organization's operational structure and its difficulty in meeting the time limits was observed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA161188
Entities
People
- Dorsey E. Higdon
- Frances P. Belford
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology