John H. Dicus writes:
"Is there a difference between a "barrier-less" and a "boundary-less"
organization?
"Can there be synergy if the two or more constituents do not retain their
identity (i.e. something to do with boundaries)? .."
Don't we store information in our various boundary's? Our organizational
structures evolve in response to market needs. Too rigid and an
organization can not stay effective, too fluid and the organization can
not stay efficient. Shared language is another form of boundary. We must
hold enough in common to hold a conversation, but have enough differences
to have something to talk about. In "Systems of Survival" Jane Jacobs
discusses two distinct ethical systems. The Guardian Syndrome works to
protect the organization's boundaries, the Commerical Syndrome supports
those who transcend the boundary to engage with others.
It seems to me that absent boundaries the organization loses corporate
self into commerical other. One of the challenges of the knowledge
economy is the nature of the boundaries that define the wealth producing
assets owned by shareowners, and the nature and durability of shareowner
ownership rights.
Doug Merchant
--"Doug Merchant" <dougm@eclipse.net>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>