Abstract
Our goal is to relate the organizational structure of a firm to the structure of the problem environment in which it operates. To this end a formal model of a prototypical organization adapting to changes in its problem environment is presented. Based upon distributed computer system concepts, the organization is modelled as a hierarchically co-ordinated modular system. The model firm's environment is time critical, i.e., it generates a sequence of problems which must be solved within a limited time after arrival. Interpreted for technologically-based firms, problems represent technology related product development opportunities, and the problem deadlines bound response windows within which opportunities must be capitalized upon. We study the ability of the organization to adjust its structure to accomodate changes in the parameters of its problem environment. In this context, organizational flexibility is characterized and shown to be in a trade-off relation to speed of response. Implications are suggested for the controversy surrounding the relative innovation potential of small firms versus large corporations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Baba, M.L., B. P. Zeigler, and R. G. Reynolds (1984), "Managing Technological Turbulence: Strategies for Neoteny in Technology-based Corporations", In: Proc. IX Triennial World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control, Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Hockney, R.W. and C.R. Jessape (1981). Parallel Computers, Adam Hilger Press
Gijsbrechts, E. (1983), Hierarchical Approaches to Large Scale Organizational Problems: an Overview, Department Economische Wetenschappen, Unversiteit Antwerpen.
Kartashev, S.P. and S.I. Kartashev, (1982) eds, Designing and Programming Modern Computers and Systems, Vol. 1: LSI Modular Computer Systems, Prentice Hall, N.J.
Kogge, P. (1981), The Architecture of Pipeline Computers, McGraw Hill, NY.
Kung, H.T. (1980), "The Structure of Parallel Algorithms", In: Advances in Computers (ed: M. Yovitz), pp. 65–112, Academic Press, NY.
Mead C. and L. Conway (1980), Introduction to VLSI Systems, Addison Wesley Press, MA.
Mesarovic, M.D., D. Macko, and Y. Takahara (1970), Theory of Hierarchical Multilevel Systems, Academic Press, NY.
Moss, S.J. (1981), An Economic Theory of Business Strategy, Wiley, NY.
Reynolds, R.G. (1984), "A Computational Model of Hierarchical Decision Systems", J. Theo. Archaeology.
Rothwell, R. and W. Zegveld (1983), Innovation and the Small and Medium Sized Firm, Kluwer-Nijhoff Publishing Co., Hingham, MA.
Sherman, M.D. (1983), "MANAGE-An Interactive Simulation Model for Evaluating the Efficiency of Management Structures on Organizational Performance", Simulation, August.
Simon, H.A. (1969), The Sciences of the Artificial, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.
Utterback, J.M. (1974), Innovation in Industry and the Diffusion of Technology", Science, 183: 620–626.
Zeigler, B.P. (1984), Multifacetted Modelling and Discrete Event Simulation, Academic Press, London.
Ziegler, C.A. (1983) Programming Systems Methodology, Prentice Hall, NJ.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1985 Springer-Verlag
About this paper
Cite this paper
Zeigler, B.P., Reynolds, R.G. (1985). Modelling alternative structures for time critical corporate adaptation. In: Schmidt, G., Singh, M., Titli, A., Tzafestas, S. (eds) Real Time Control of Large Scale Systems. Lecture Notes in Control and Information Sciences, vol 67. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0008289
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0008289
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-15033-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-39219-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive