ABSTRACT
Mechanistic management describes the zone where people within the organization share a common paradigm or mental model. Here people are in agreement as to how the organization operates or should operate. Feedback loops operate in an affirming way so that the shared paradigm is never questioned, nor are the beliefs and values that underpin the paradigm. Learning is the heartbeat of many organizations. The chapter describes single loop learning which is highly achievable in mechanistic management. Bureaucratic structure is a cornerstone feature of mechanistic management. Bureaucratic structures usually restrict the information flows both coming in to the organization and within it. Another feature of mechanistic management is the passion for rational problem solving processes. Rational process relies on concrete facts and data to achieve certainty and secure agreement. Of great benefit to rational problem solvers is an accurate knowledge of the behaviour of all variables.
