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Organizations and meta-organizations

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  • Ahrne, Göran
  • Brunsson, Nils

Abstract

Most theories about organizations assume implicitly or explicitly that the members of organizations are individual persons. However, a large and growing number of organizations are "meta-organizations" whose members are other organizations. How organizations function is affected by the kind of members that they have. In this article it is argued that meta-organizations differ from individual-based organizations in important ways, and that they thus call for somewhat different theories. An outline of a theory for meta-organizations is suggested below. It aims to explain three fundamental elements in any theory of organizations: the creating and sustaining of formal organizations, the sources of and the reactions to conflict within organizations, and the question of organizational change.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahrne, Göran & Brunsson, Nils, 2005. "Organizations and meta-organizations," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 21(4), pages 429-449, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:scaman:v:21:y:2005:i:4:p:429-449
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