Join Carsten Behrens and sociologist Sven Schneider as they explore the overlooked social dynamics in organizations and how to effectively design management systems that work in practice.
A new podcast episode of Carsten’s Corner was published on Feb 25, 2025 with the original title:
Understanding Social Dynamics in Management Systems
Overview:
In this episode, Carsten Behrens discusses with sociologist Sven Schneider about the underestimated social dynamics within organizations, questioning conventional management systems and their real-world efficacy. They explore the importance of informal structures and power relations in achieving successful quality management.
Core content:
- Management systems often fail because they do not consider social dynamics; problem-solving alone does not guarantee success.
- Rules and structures are not enough; informal expectations and power relations significantly influence organizational behavior.
- A balance must be struck between best practices and rigid guidelines for effective implementation of management systems.
- Understanding true power dynamics in companies helps understand who shapes organizational rules.
- Practical advice on when to formalize new rules for better organizational performance is provided.
Learnings:
- Listeners will gain insights on why management systems must consider social interactions to be effective.
- Understand the difference between structural faith and actual organizational behavior.
- Learn how to identify and leverage informal structures for improved quality management.
- Discover the key power players in organizations and their impact on rule-making.
- Receive practical tips on the timing and necessity of formalizing rules within organizations.
The original content was published in German.
