Sources and causes of organizational pathologies

An organizational pathology is a long-lasting , substantial malfunction which causes waste within the organization. Sources of pathologies can be found both inside the organization and in its environment. It is particularly difficult to study pathologies in business because, for various reasons, respondents are reluctant to disclose the problems of the organization. Regardless of differences between individual cases, most pathologies can be interpreted as an undesired shift of goals, which may therefore be considered a universal pathology. The purpose of the article is to show the causes, manifestations and mechanisms of development of selected organizational pathologies. The article describes both pathologies caused by internal factors and those arising when the organization interacts with the environment. The article is based on the qualitative research conducted by the author. This choice of method was a consequence of the aim and object of the study. The study identified the sources of some organizational pathologies, such as: negative empowerment, goal displacement, loss of responsibility and commitment, lack of trust, dishonesty and lack of loyalty, poorly designed and excessively oppressive control systems, hiding and shifting costs to other parts of the organization (budgets), dogmatism, functional "shredding" (fragmentation) of organization, lack of redundancy and others. Identification of pathologies is difficult, but possible and desirable. Although the western business culture is a culture of achievement and success, yet identification of the causes, mechanisms and symptoms of pathological phenomena can bring important theoretical and - above all – practical benefits.