Organizational Innovation in Historical Perspective, part 2

Cover stories

Interdependence and autonomy in organizational relations

In part 1 ‘New types of organizations are not new’, organizations are seen as changing networks of relations between units. These relations are best characterized in terms of balances between interdependence and autonomy and, on a less abstract level, between steering and self-organization. Over the centuries we witness an increase in interdependence as well as autonomy. External controls become internalized as self-discipline. This higher level of self-organization and autonomy enables more adequate steering. Gradually, the ability of organizations to deal with complexity improves. This often provides a competitive edge.

This articulation of steering and self-organization is a process which shows a remarkable continuit...

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