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Ant colonies: building complex organizations with minuscule brains and no leaders

Author

Listed:
  • Mark W. Moffett

    (National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution)

  • Simon Garnier

    (New Jersey Institute of Technology)

  • Kathleen M. Eisenhardt

    (Stanford University)

  • Nathan R. Furr

    (INSEAD)

  • Massimo Warglien

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

  • Costanza Sartoris

    (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

  • William Ocasio

    (University of Illinois)

  • Thorbjørn Knudsen

    (University of Southern Denmark)

  • Lars A. Bach

    (Aarhus University)

  • Joachim Offenberg

    (Aarhus University)

Abstract

Thus far the articles in the series JOD calls the “Organization Zoo” have employed the notion of a “zoo” metaphorically to describe an array of human institutions. Here we take the term literally to consider the design of the most complex organizations in the living world beside those of humans, a favorite of insect zoos around the world: ant colonies. We consider individuality and group identity in the functioning of ant organizations; advantages of a flat organization without hierarchies or leaders; self-organization; direct and indirect communication; job specialization; labor coordination; and the role of errors in innovation. The likely value and limitations of comparing ant and human organizations are briefly examined.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark W. Moffett & Simon Garnier & Kathleen M. Eisenhardt & Nathan R. Furr & Massimo Warglien & Costanza Sartoris & William Ocasio & Thorbjørn Knudsen & Lars A. Bach & Joachim Offenberg, 2021. "Ant colonies: building complex organizations with minuscule brains and no leaders," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 10(1), pages 55-74, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jorgde:v:10:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s41469-021-00093-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s41469-021-00093-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Terri L. Griffith & Ann Majchrzak & Luca Giustiniano, 2023. "Hyperloop transportation technologies: practices for open organizing across VUCA contexts," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 12(3), pages 99-120, September.
    2. Oliver Alexy, 2022. "How flat can it get? From better at flatter to the promise of the decentralized, boundaryless organization," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 11(1), pages 31-36, March.

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