Hierarchy or Self-Direction? This is how Finns perceive the current working life

The majority feel there's a reasonable level of hierarchy

• 73 percent reported that there is a reasonable level of hierarchy present in the work environment
• 11 percent perceived the Finnish work culture as extremely hierarchical.
• 14 percent experienced very little hierarchy. 

Hierarchy is influenced by factors such as organization size, the practical necessity of hierarchy, history, and industry.

According to the respondents, there are many factors that influence the degree of hierarchy:

Organization size

Many emphasized that hierarchy varies between companies. In small organizations, hierarchy might be more relaxed, while in larger companies, hierarchy can be quite pronounced.

This is understandable, as large organizations require more structure and clear roles. Small organizations can be more flexible and rely more on collaboration.

The necessity of hierarchy

Some respondents mentioned that hierarchy is necessary for coordinating work, but many believed that excessive hierarchy is detrimental. The significance of self-direction and flexibility was emphasized in relation to the evolving needs of the work environment.

This is indeed important to consider, as hierarchy shouldn't be an end in itself. It should serve the organization's goals and strategy; otherwise, it's redundant. If hierarchy hampers or even prevents innovation, learning, and development, it becomes a direct issue.

Organizational history

The organization's history and values influenced how hierarchy is perceived. In traditional work environments, hierarchy provided a sense of security for some respondents, and there wasn't necessarily a perceived need to abandon it. On the other hand, some mentioned that teamwork and open communication have acted as elements reducing hierarchy.

This is intriguing, especially considering that organizations can intentionally change their culture and values over time. Dismantling hierarchy, however, requires leadership and commitment, but on the other hand, hierarchy itself is always a choice, whether an organization has a long history or not.

Industry and roles

Hierarchy varies significantly across different sectors. For instance, healthcare was considered quite hierarchical, whereas in expert roles, emphasis was on knowledge sharing, collaborative decision-making, and a resulting less hierarchical operational model.

This is logical, as different industries and roles have various requirements and expectations. Hierarchy can be beneficial when quick and clear actions are needed. Self-direction is likely advantageous when creativity and expertise are required.