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Define and provide an example of inconsistencies between official and operative goals: Different perceptions/perspectives/interpretations

a) Varying interpretations of company goals among employees
b) Consistent understanding of organizational objectives
c) Unanimous agreement on the meaning of goals
d) Alignment of individual and company perspectives on goals

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Inconsistencies between official and operative goals arise from differences in how employees understand and interpret organizational objectives, which can lead to conflicts but also offer opportunities for growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Defining Inconsistencies between Official and Operative Goals

Official goals are the formally stated objectives that an organization aims to achieve, whereas operative goals are the actual, unspoken or informal goals that are pursued by individuals or groups within the organization. An example of inconsistencies between these types of goals can be found when there is a difference in perceptions or interpretations among employees regarding the company's objectives. For instance, a company's official goal may be to 'enhance customer satisfaction', but the operative goal for a sales team might be to 'increase sales quota fulfilment', potentially at the expense of customer satisfaction if aggressive sales tactics are used.

Moreover, situations illustrating these inconsistencies include:

  • Varying interpretations of company goals among employees, where individuals may have a varied understanding of what the company's objectives truly mean.
  • The ideal scenario where there is a consistent understanding of organizational objectives across the organization, which is not always the case in reality.
  • Instances of alignment of individual and company perspectives on goals, which is the harmonization of personal goals with those of the company, though this alignment is often challenging to achieve.

Conflicts within an organization can emerge from these discrepancies but are not necessarily negative, as they may lead to growth and innovation if managed appropriately

User Naveen Goyal
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