The self-designing organization: structure, learning, and the management of technical professionals

It is pointed out that the increasing importance of speed-to-market for competitive advantage and the rapid changes in technology and markets require adaptations in the organizational structure of technology-based businesses. Recent research suggests that the traditional focus on project, functional, and/or matrix organizational designs misses the vital point that organizations that successfully adapt to changing technology and markets possess self-designing structures. Field research suggests that two factors encourage self-design: skills in managing interfaces and practices that promote individual development.<>