The Impact of Goal Setting and Empowerment on Governmental Matrix Organizations
Abstract
The matrix management concept is currently in use by many DoD organizations. Theories of goal setting and empowerment seem to align with some of the responsibilities assumed by matrix project managers. The research problem was to determine whether will-functioning government matrix organizations owe their effectiveness to a project-oriented matrix organization structure, or to good goal setting and empowerment practices by managers. Interviews were conducted at three SPOs at WPAFB and at DLA's DESC and DCSC. Qualitative analysis, including dendrograms and matrix displays were utilized. Conclusions include the following points: Goal Setting is not prominent, but may not be critical in government organizations, due to establishment of functional goals during training; empowerment is critical and was found to reduce paperwork, lower response times, and improved cooperation among functionals, in addition to establish benefits of empowerment; project matrices are perceived to be more effective by the project personnel. Recommendations include the following points. Team members be fully qualified and trained prior to being matrixed; project leaders be selected for their leadership qualities and openness, communication channels be established for exchange of functional information. and that new support roles be designed for functional leaders. Matrix, Project matrix, Functional matrix, Matrix management, Goal setting, Empowerment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274046
Entities
People
- Patricea W. Hogan
- Stephen R. Corey
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology