Organizational Design: A Step-by-Step Approach 2nd Edition

Book Preface

Since the first edition in 2006, many things have changed. The world economic crisis, which is most evident in the financial sector, has changed our world from expected growth to more restrictions and more nuanced changes. Yet, the fundamentals of organizational design remain relevant – perhaps even more so. The step-by-step approach which focuses on the identification and fixing of misfits addresses today’s challenges; an information-processing view of organization captures the basic processes of organization; and a design is essential to good performance for the organization. In short, the basic ideas for a good design remain, even if some of the parameter values are modified. Yet, we have made some significant changes in this second edition. We have: added a number of examples to illustrate the fundamentals and provide a timely context for the reader; introduced emotions as an underlying frame for leadership and climate; expanded the dynamic fit ideas and included time more explicitly; and deepened the examination of joint ventures, mergers, partnerships, and strategic alliances.

Paula Parish of Cambridge University Press has been a very supportive editor. Dorthe Døjbak Ha°konsson of the Aarhus School of Business, Aarhus University has shared our joint research which is central to the changes in this edition.

And finally, thanks to the many individuals who used the first edition and inspired us to undertake this revision.

RICHARD M. BURTON
BØRGE OBEL
September 3, 2010