|
The Emerging Dominance of
"Hyborgs"
In former economic eras, there were a handful
of dominant organization types. They tended to
have set, proscribed and comparable processes
and structures. Their operations generally conformed
to widely-held principles. Thus, we were able
to develop entire constructs of law, regulation,
accounting, worker benefitsall the bits and pieces
that added up to the social contracts between
the organization and its stakeholders, and the
greater society at large. This was true whether
considering family farms, the guilds, trade associations,
merchant entrepreneurs or mega-corporations.
In the 21st century, it is clear that there is
no "typical" organization of any kind.
Instead, whether small or medium or large, we
are diversifying and multiplyingand morphing
into "hyborgs" -hybrid organizations
that have inner and outer workings in common with
few others. For example, major corporations are
hardly comparable to one another any more, as
operational structure could include any permutation
of:
• centralized vs. decentralized control
• virtual vs. permanent vs. contract employees
• knowledge vs. tangible assets
• in-sourced vs. out-sourced work
• wholly-owned subsidiaries vs. majority
stakes vs. minority stakes vs. joint ventures
vs. strategic alliances vs. licensing
vs. leasing
• local vs. national vs. regional vs. off-shore
vs. transnational vs. global
The model for the future is that there is no
model. But as organizations grow less alike and
less permanently organized, we may finally need
to give them a new name, "Hyborg" -
the hybrid organization. This refers both to the
cross-breeding of entities that go to make up
the new organizations, and to the crossover of
purposes, products, services.
Many "hyborgs" dot the economy:
• Unocal Corp., headquartered in New York,
says its no longer an American firm (it describes
itself as a global energy company)
and is moving its assets and management to Asia.
• Chryslers video-game kiosk also sells
Chrysler-licensed and other merchandise.
• Churches are performing state-funded social
welfare programs.
• Malls are becoming tourist attractions.
• Wellness centers are crosses between hospitals
and health clubs.
• The city of Las Vegas is becoming a theme
park, Disney is becoming a resort/Institute community
with a campus-like setting.
• The non-profit Talent Alliance was formed
by corporations for business purposes.
• CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) are
employing people and doing contract work.
• The Virtual Emporium is on-site retailing
that is actually access to the WEB for shopping.
• Working ranches are becoming tourist attractions.
• Outsourcing and contracting are involved
with "box-building" and profit splitting.
• "Net metering" turns homeowners
into electric power-generators, in competition
with utilities.
• Farmer-investor-consumers are in CSAs (Community
Supported Agriculture).
• Willow Creek Community Church is more entertainment
than religion, and has become a Harvard Business
School Case Study.
|
