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The conceptual organization: an emergent organizational form for collaborative R&D

Analysis of organizational documentation, sociometric survey and observation data from a two-year field study of an R&D organization suggests that a new type of research and development (R&D) organization, called the conceptual organization, is emerging. The conceptual organization relies on and facilitates collaboration in research and development; it is based on a long-term vision that addresses large complex and challenging problems of national and global importance. Its purpose is to work towards this vision, quickly and effectively contributing to relevant dynamic knowledge bases and meeting diverse stakeholder needs with minimum capitalization and start-up costs. To achieve this, it has an explicit conceptual organizational structure in addition to a physical structure, both of which are interwoven across other external organizational and physical structures. Conceptual organizations engage scientists through the appeal of their vision and socio-technical infrastructures that encourage and facilitate collaboration. Challenges for conceptual organizations may arise due to conflicts with traditional norms and practices embedded in university and R&D settings.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/105537
Date08 1900
CreatorsSonnenwald, Diane H.
PublisherBeech Tree Publishing
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeJournal Article (Paginated)

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