Sunday, December 08, 2002

Heterarchies: A Balance for De/centralization Finding an optimal balance between decentralization and centralization as organizing concept for business architectures will be a question raised at Supernova.  Researching Heterarchies as an organizing concept may provide some answers.  The work of David Stark, Sociology, Columbia University, SFI External Faculty], is leading the field: Heterarchies represent a new logic of organizing that is neither market nor hierarchy: whereas hierarchies involve relations of dependence and markets involve relations of independence, heterarchies involve relations of interdependence. As the term suggests, heterarchies are characterized by minimal hierarchy and by organizational heterogeneity, a pair of concepts elaborated below. There is a middle ground between formal networks (hierarchies) and informal networks (social networks).  A heterarchy taps into the power of individuals and social networks within a turbulent environment to achieve what would be otherwise considered organizational objectives.  7:34:21 PM    comment [] Next Big Things John Patrick's list of five candidates for the Next Big Thing. [Werblog]   Autonomic computing   Blogging   Grid Computing   Web Services   WiFi John is about right, IMHO.  I have been trying to think in non-Next Big Thing terms, but would add: Social Software, Personal Systems, and more to come.  The good thing is we will be talking about 3 out of 5 at Supernova, with the other two in the hallways. 9:59:10 AM    comment []

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