Renewal Through Reorganization: The Value of Inconsistencies between Formal and Informal Organization
Organization Science, Forthcoming
53 Pages Posted: 28 Nov 2007
Abstract
We develop a theoretical perspective on how inconsistencies between formal and informal organization arising from reorganization can help create ambidextrous organizations. We argue that under some conditions, the informal organization can compensate for the formal organization by motivating a distinct but valuable form of employee behavior that the formal organization does not emphasize, and vice versa an effect we label compensatory fit. We illustrate the concept of compensatory fit by drawing upon qualitative data from a re-organization at Cisco Systems. We also derive formal boundary conditions for compensatory fit using a simple game theoretic representation. We show that compensatory fit can only work when there is a powerful informal organization already in existence, and when the gains from ambidexterity are substantial. Further, depending on the strength of the informal organization, breakdown in the conditions necessary for compensatory fit may lead to performance declines and further re-organizations.
Keywords: Organization structure, formal and informal organization, inter-unit coordination
JEL Classification: L22, D23
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
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