Organization Structure As A Tool For Effective Management (a Case Study Of National Institute For Transport Technology)

The organizational structure of an organization defines the character and the values it believes in. A number of activities are performed

in an organization. This activities requires coordination, organization structure is designed for the purpose of task division. Grouping of activities and controlling the activities of the organization. The detailed study of different types of organizational structure is required for creation of efficient and stable structure. A well designed organizational structure helps in the smooth running of the organization for effective management. This study is in five chapters and has focused on the organizational structure as a tool for effective management with particular reference to National Institute for Transport Technology.

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The structure of every organization is very vital whether profit or non- profit oriented. The success and failure of an organization depends largely on how the organization is structured. Proper organizational structure creates a conducive environment for employee satisfaction which in turn brings about high productivity.

Historically, the Nigerian country has been in existence since 1914, after the Amalgamation under Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard who was the then governor general. The country became independent from British rule in 1960 and in 1963 became a republic. The British rule has had some effects on various Nigerian systems.  

In Udo (1978) “The relics of British rule have since remained in every aspect of Nigerian life”. Prominent of such relics are transport, education and the government system.

The history of road transport development in Nigeria could be traced back to the period before 1910 when the existing bush paths were turned to motor able routes. Ogunbodede (2008) has it that the pattern of Nigerian urbanization has much implication on various areas of the country including determining the areas of road traffic origination and destination.

These implications are associated with various urban problems, unemployment, environmental pollution etc.

However, this study is solely interested in the organizational structure of National Institute of transport technology as a tool for effective management.

The National Institute for Transport Technology is an institution mandated to serve as transport training, research and management development centre for Nigeria and West African sub-region where managers, technologists and technicians suited for employment on the operations, management, maintenance and allied services in the transport sector were being trained.

According to Alhaji Aminu AY. The Institute director "a well planned, managed and organized transport system with highly skilled professionals holds the key to the development and growth of the industry in Nigeria". (Daily independent interview 2012).

The growth of road transport in Nigeria was a later development. Standford Research Institute (1963) pointed out that the roads were not developed until the advent of motor vehicles in the 1920s and 1930s. The end of the second war in 1945 marked the period when the country was served with adequate network of all season roads for lorry and passenger car traffic. 

No matter the size of an organization, the responsibilities of employees are defined by what they do and who they report to. The Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology was established for the purpose of training professionals for efficient and effective transport sector; its organization is structured functionally in a hierarchical form with the governing council at the apex followed by the Director General and the subordinate directors of each department. The smooth running of the activities in this institute is as a result of this orderly structure. Each of the directors of various departments reports to the director general who in turn reports to the Governing council. Organizational structure is thus seen as a direction that coordinates every activity in the Institute.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Organizational structures often reflect the level of growth or stage of every coordinated organization. Any institution with a strong organizational structure benefits from a well defined hierarchy and unity of the staffs. No matter how efficient an organizational structure can be, it can also create problems that can lead to loss of productivity and internal conflicts. Therefore, problems in an organizational structure should be identified and dealt with as they occur. 

Often times, organizational Managers do not think along its structure until something goes wrong and disrupts their daily operations. Proactive leaders should take time to analyze the structure of their organization from the start and make sure it facilitates efficient management.

In this study, we are analysing the organizational structure of National Institute of Transport Technology.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The motivation to research on this field of management aroused as a result of an interest on how the organizational structure of different organizations should be laid out for effective management. Besides giving a general overview on how important an organizational structure is to every management. This study is also bent on examining the following:

Thus, it becomes imperative to discover and impact knowledge on how the structure of an organization can serve as a tool for effective management.