An Analysis of the Management Practice Using Organizational Metaphor Theory

Abstract

Analysis of the organization becomes necessary when the organization shows certain phenomena such as performance decreasing or increasing sharply, organizations structural changes, organizational climate is not conducive, the number of employee changes, and so on. This study explores the implementation of Morgan’s Organizational Metaphor Theory in the management practice within a private higher education institution in Jakarta. This study helps to interpret the advancements and barriers in the current management practice. This study uses a qualitative research method with a case study approach. Some analyses were made based on the eight metaphors about organizations according to Morgan, namely the metaphor of the organization 1) as a machine, 2) as an organism, 3) as the brain, 4) as culture, 5) as a political system, 6) as a physical prison, 7) as a dynamic and transforming reality, and 8) as an instrument of domination. The results show that the institutions should strive to make some important changes in their management practice, especially by applying the recent management practices, including treating lecturers and staff as partners. This study implies that the implementation of modern management must be accompanied by the leadership.
 Keywords: organizational metaphor theory, modern management, leadership commitment