Amitai Etzioni: How Organizations Secure Compliance

Amitai Etzioni identified three types of organizations based on how they secure compliance: coercive, remunerative, and normative. Coercive organizations use force or threats, leading to alienation. Remunerative organizations offer rewards for compliance, common in business. Normative organizations rely on shared values and beliefs, often seen in religious and voluntary groups. In practice, organizations may blend these types, using different methods to motivate members.

What is a key characteristic of coercive organizations?

• They focus on moral authority.

• They promote shared values.

• They offer economic rewards.

• They use control and sanctions.

How do remunerative organizations typically secure compliance?

• Through shared beliefs.

• By using physical force.

• By offering rewards.

• Through moral authority.

What question do members of remunerative organizations often ask?

• What are the sanctions?

• What's in it for me?

• What is the moral authority?

• What are the shared values?

In normative organizations, what drives members to comply?

• Shared beliefs and values.

• Physical force.

• Economic benefits.

• Sanctions and threats.

Which type of power is associated with moral authority?

• Coercive power.

• Economic power.

• Remunerative power.

• Normative power.

How can a prison system exhibit utilitarian characteristics?

• By using physical force.

• By offering rewards for rehabilitation.

• By promoting shared values.

• By threatening severe sanctions.

What is a common feature of real-world organizations according to Etzioni?

• They rely only on moral authority.

• They only use one type of power.

• They combine aspects of all three types of power.

• They focus solely on economic rewards.