Projects, networks and the innovative organization

ENGINEERING managers should care about the manner in which their organizations are structured. Effectively managed organizations better adapt to technological change, and are better equipped to survive when times are challenging. Competitiveness then is a function of innovative products and capable products, but also of our organizational choices. These organizational choices can be designed just like any product. In the following essay we argue that we are headed toward the rise of project-based networks-flexible, adaptable, inter-organizational design and manufacturing networks which are adept at managing a new era of technology. First, however, let's examine the arguments for and against two major forms of high-technology organization.