多维环境规制下的组织目标及组织形态演变——基于中国长江三峡集团公司的案例研究

Evolution of Organizational Goals and Configuration within the Multiple Environmental Constraints:A Case Study on China Three Gorges Corporation

环境力量如何渗透到组织内部影响组织形态是组织理论研究的一个基本话题。本文通过案例方法,以处于战略转型中的中国长江三峡集团公司为研究对象,分析、总结其从工程建设阶段到运营管理阶段所处环境的变化、组织目标以及组织形态的演变。研究发现,组织目标作为组织边界上链接环境与组织的机制,是整合组织内外部力量和要求并赋予组织主体性的关键要素;在追求目标实现的过程中,结构安排与文化控制塑造了组织形态。环境影响组织的力量并非是单一纯粹的,而是社会性、经济性和技术性力量的混合甚至是变异;同时,环境力量是在与组织内部动机、需求的共同作用下影响组织目标的。对此过程的深层剖析发现,环境变化引致组织任务继而组织权力格局的变化,而把握权力的群体因为对组织产出和结果的控制而控制了组织目标。

There is a growing recognition of the diverse ways in which the environment constitutes,influences,and penetrates organizations in organizational theory since the entry of open system models in this field.This article aims at deepening our understandings about such issue that how environment influences organizations within a complex context by using a case study on China Three Gorges Corporation（CTGC） which is operating the largest hydroelectric project in the world.Based on the analysis of the transformation of CTCG＇s environment,its goal,structure,culture et al.,our findings suggest that organizational goal is bridging organization and environment and it is manifested as the integration of forces from both internal and external environments.Essentially,organizational goal enables organization to be an active entity.And within the process to achieve the organizational goal,the enforced structural and cultural controls shape the organizational configuration.In addition,one proposition here is that the external forces which exert influences on organizations are really a mixture of various factors including societal,political,economic and technical ones.Specially,in some cases,one certain environmental force will be transformed into other forces,such as the technical constraints may become a political regulation.With the external forces,the internal ones such as members＇ appeals are simultaneously working together to impact the organizational goal.Furthermore,underlying mechanism flows from our analysis is that,environmental changes and transitions will be reflected in the shifts of organizational task and then the power structure within the organization.The dominant group which assumes controls of organization will regulate the organizational goal as they hold the overwhelming power over organizational outcomes.In sum,all these findings provide an explanation and response to the issue that how the environment penetrates organizations.Theoretically,this study implicates us that external forces will substantially affect the power distribution,goal and configuration within organizations.Also it informs the executives that there needs a comprehensive understanding of all the related factors of the environment and organization.