Importance of Organizational Infrastructure

Abstract

This chapter emphasizes the need for organizations to form a solid infrastructure upon which the basis of services are delivered. Consumers of human service agencies often face a difficult decision when choosing the provider most suitable for the varying needs of loved ones, and due to varying disability types and severities, providers also face the issue of determining the best methods for providing such a wide service array to all with whom they work. Such complexity in adaptation and the need for ongoing responding to varied circumstances may leave administrators and middle managers confused and searching for a solution to organizational issues. Anecdotal reports in the media often suggest the newest theory of how an organization should operate to intervene when crises arise, and plenty of management books exist that promise solutions for all organizational troubles. The overwhelmingly increasing number of theories of “best practice” may sound convincing to those in need of immediate assistance, though end up costing the agency valuable resources and unnecessary amounts of time. Years of research in the science of behavior offer solutions that best prepare an organization for effective responding in crisis situations, with well-designed, organizational infrastructure and systems processes outlined for predictability. Organizational infrastructure provides the groundwork and major basis upon which performance may be demonstrated, then enhanced, and ensuring a solid infrastructure requires careful consideration and thorough planning, with constant analysis and intervention leading to adaptation, given enough feedback from consumers. This chapter provides an analysis of how agencies may better prepare an organizational system using the work amounted from the fields of behavior analysis and organizational behavior management, with emphasis on antecedent or preventative interventions that permit swift and effective responding when crises arise.