Research based advice for designing more effective organizations
This blog is primarily about the organization of business firms, but let me start at another “level of analysis” this time: The organization of societies. As all of you, I have been watching with horror the brutal and senseless war in Ukraine. I have … [Continue reading]
Jay Galbraith (1939 – 2014) was a leading scholar and consultant in the field of organization design. In several of his books, he mentioned the possibility of implementing a “mirror image organizational structure.” He argued that a mirror image … [Continue reading]
Internal complexity seems to increase gradually over time in most organizations. Earlier this year, a study was published in the prestiguous journal Nature that looks at the underlying causes of this tendency. The authors conclude that there is a … [Continue reading]
People focus is the key. Who would want to work for a company that is focused on structure and systems, rather than people? Probably few, but maybe they should reconsider. Let me explain. In an earlier career, I worked as an internal consultant in a … [Continue reading]
Most organizations tend to get more complex over time. New processes, roles and reporting lines are added. New steering groups and advisory boards are established. New cross-functional initiatives are launched. All with the best of intentions. But … [Continue reading]