Formal organizations

Definition

Formal organizations are structured groups created for a specific purpose or goal, characterized by a systematic framework of roles, rules, and procedures. These organizations operate based on planned, coordinated, and purposeful actions of many individuals.

Related terms

Bureaucracy: A type of formal organization marked by clear hierarchy, strict rules, and a focus on efficiency.

Organizational culture: The set of shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and norms that influence how members of an organization interact with one another and with stakeholders outside the organization.

Social structure: The patterned social arrangements in society that are both emergent from and determinant of the actions of individuals within those given parameters