Influences on effectiveness in Aker MH Operations : theoretical-empirical assessment of the Service and Spare Parts departments

Abstract

The degree of effectiveness in an organisation is affected by its design. Effective structuring is, however, not only a question of an internal consistency among the organisation’s design parameters. In order to be effective, an organisation also needs a consistent structure that matches the situation in which it operates. Assessing organisational effectiveness thereby involves considering both structural and situational factors. The research question of this master thesis is concerned with how the contextual factors affect effectiveness in two after sales departments in Aker MH. To assess this, empirical data was collected though semi structured research interviews and then evaluated on the basis of a theoretical framework founded in organisational theory. The theories used help classify the contextual factors and present optimal structural solutions. The results and interpretations of the data for this thesis indicate that the after sales departments in Aker MH is following an ambidextrous approach and that this has an overall positive impact on effectiveness. Both empiricism and theory do, however, suggest that effectiveness in the after sales departments in Aker MH is lower than what can be achieved. The degree of effectiveness further seems to vary between the departments and departmental effectiveness further appears to be measured by different variables. The evaluation of the factors and their influence, and the current fit is followed by some suggestions of possible actions that Aker MH could implement to increase the structural and contextual fit, and thereby possibly increase their effectiveness.