The four key characteristics of all organisations

Every organisation, in order to run efficiently and effectively, must incorporate the four key characteristics of all organisations. Firstly, an organisation must have a distinct purpose and aim, typically expressed as a goal or set of goals that allow the business to exist for a reason (Management, the essentials pg. 4). Both wealth and social expectations are constant pressures on organisations to strive for. In accordance to Zoos Victoria’s case, they would include broader goals such as “ making a difference,” and “ reducing harm”, specifically to wildlife issues occurring around the world. (Wookey, Organizations With Purpose 2014). Zoos Victoria showcases this by putting forth their distinct purposes as their vision to utilise its position as a “ world leading zoo-based conservation organisation” to secure a future rich in wildlife through its efforts to fight extinction (Zoos Victoria Cooperate plan 2018 pg. 2).

Alongside this, any organisation requires those within the business to carry out actions and decisions in an attempt to bring the organisation closer to achieving their set goal or targets. Zoos Victoria once again does this through their Five Action area plan (Zoos Victoria Cooperate plan 2018 pg. 2). In order to achieve their vision and goals, five areas of action; Conservation, Animals, Visitors, People and financial sustainability, have been designed in order for those within the organisation to work towards the overall goal of being a “ world leading zoo-based conservation organisation” (Zoos Victoria Cooperate plan 2018 pg. 2) and fighting wildlife extinction.

Thirdly, all organisations should have a set and defined structure that highlights and presents the limits and required behaviour of its members. Those including employees, managers and even the CEO. As Zoos Victoria is classed under the Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995 (Zoos Victoria Cooperate plan 2018 pg. 2), all Zoos under its jurisdiction are mandated to uphold, in brief, five main requirements. One of which is to provide consultancy and advice to the public on zoological matters.

Finally, all organisation should have in place an operations system that ultimately create value for the consumer or customer by converting inputs into outputs. Zoos Victoria does not essentially convert inputs into outputs, but rather implements four steps in order to achieve their goal of fighting wildlife extinction through their mission statements. Being an organisation that provides a service, Zoos Victoria strive to increase the quality of their service through, for example, “ providing profound zoo-based animal encounters to connect people with wildlife” (Zoos Victoria Cooperate plan 2018 pg. 2). This in turn should increase the amount of community members entering the zoo as satisfaction levels increase through consumers.