A Computational Approach to Diagnosing Misfits, Inducing Requirements, and Delineating Transformations for Edge Organizations
Abstract
The Edge organization represents a fresh approach to organizational design, moving knowledge and power to the edges of organizations. But this raises issues in terms of comparative performance with respect to alternate organizational designs. Our research stream employs methods and tools of Computational Organization Theory to investigate the design and efficacy of Edge organizations for current and future, military, mission-environmental contexts. This particular study employs a scholarship-based expert system called Organization Consultant to diagnose current military C2 misfits in terms of organizational design. Organizational diagnoses generate relatively fine-grain, prescriptive recommendations for redesigning the organization. We use such prescriptions to induce a set of requirements for Edge organizations and to delineate pathways for organizational transformation: from forms appropriate for Cold War missions of the past, to forms capable of succeeding at Global Terror and other challenging missions of the present and future. This approach is quite novel in the domain of C2 research. Contributions to both theory and practice are made through our presentation, use and illustration of the associated approach. This work suggests immediate results amenable to practical application in the Military. And it suggests also an exciting agenda for continued research along the lines of this investigation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA464325
Entities
People
- Mark E. Nissen
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School