IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ers/journl/vxxviiiy2025i2p566-576.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Challenging Misconceptions: Unpacking the Concept of Self-Managed Organizations

Author

Listed:
  • Aneta Pisarska
  • Davide de Gennaro
  • Filomena Buonocore

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify and critically analyze the most common misconceptions surrounding self-managed organizations (SMOs), shedding light on how they affect management practices and the successful implementation of SMO models. The objective is to clarify the essence of SMOs and provide practical insights for organizational leaders. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing a multi-source data collection strategy. The analysis includes a comprehensive review of academic and industry literature, case studies, and digital content such as websites, blogs, podcasts, and reports. Additionally, data were collected from academic assessments, student discussions, and events organized by the Teal Breakfast Poland Foundation, contributing an understanding of how SMOs are perceived in both theoretical and practical contexts. Findings: The study reveals a range of prevalent misconceptions about SMOs in both scholarly literature and business practice. The findings highlight the need for more nuanced research and better dissemination of accurate knowledge about SMOs, emphasizing their potential when properly understood. Practical Implications: Misinterpretations of the SMO model can lead to failed implementations and unmet expectations, particularly when organizations adopt self-management without a clear understanding of its core principles. Originality/Value: This article makes a significant contribution to the field by addressing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications of SMOs. It clarifies common myths, thereby providing a robust foundation for both academic and managerial audiences.

Suggested Citation

  • Aneta Pisarska & Davide de Gennaro & Filomena Buonocore, 2025. "Challenging Misconceptions: Unpacking the Concept of Self-Managed Organizations," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 566-576.
  • Handle: RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxviii:y:2025:i:2:p:566-576
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://ersj.eu/journal/3997/download
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shwetha M. Krishna & Somya Agrawal, 2024. "Creative Performance of Millennials and Generation Z: What Matters More, Intrinsic or Extrinsic Rewards?," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-31, December.
    2. Emilie Bourlier-Bargues & Bertrand Valiorgue & Gazi Islam, 2025. "To be and not to be: The middle management paradox and resistance escalation process during transitions to self-managing organizations," Grenoble Ecole de Management (Post-Print) hal-04967062, HAL.
    3. Gratiela Georgiana Noja & Mirela Cristea & Eleftherios Thalassinos & Marta Kadłubek, 2021. "Interlinkages between Government Resources Management, Environmental Support, and Good Public Governance. Advanced Insights from the European Union," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-23, April.
    4. Frank Martela, 2019. "What makes self-managing organizations novel? Comparing how Weberian bureaucracy, Mintzberg’s adhocracy, and self-organizing solve six fundamental problems of organizing," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 8(1), pages 1-23, December.
    5. Henry Mintzberg, 1980. "Structure in 5's: A Synthesis of the Research on Organization Design," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(3), pages 322-341, March.
    6. Ralph D. Stacey, 1995. "The science of complexity: An alternative perspective for strategic change processes," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(6), pages 477-495.
    7. Emilie Bourlier-Bargues & Bertrand Valiorgue & Gazi Islam, 2025. "To be and not to be: The middle management paradox and resistance escalation process during transitions to self-managing organizations," Post-Print hal-04967062, HAL.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Accard, Philippe, 2015. "Complex hierarchy: The strategic advantages of a trade-off between hierarchical supervision and self-organizing," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 33(2), pages 89-103.
    2. Tobias Berggren Jensen & Elisabeth Naima Mikkelsen, 2024. "Positive, challenging, or impossible self-managing organizations? Exploring radical decentralization at an addiction rehabilitation center," Journal of Organization Design, Springer;Organizational Design Community, vol. 13(4), pages 147-162, December.
    3. Malgorzata Gorzalczynska-Koczkodaj, 2023. "Intelligent Specializations as an Opportunity for Regional Development on the Example of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 446-455.
    4. Davide Consoli & Pier Paolo Patrucco, 2011. "Complexity and the Coordination of Technological Knowledge: The Case of Innovation Platforms," Chapters, in: Handbook on the Economic Complexity of Technological Change, chapter 8 Edward Elgar Publishing.
    5. Jarratt, Denise & Ceric, Arnela, 2015. "The complexity of trust in business collaborations," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 2-12.
    6. Parinov, Sergey, 2022. "Micro-level description of the economic coordination," MPRA Paper 114816, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Marius Goldberg & Axel Kieninger & Gerhard Satzger & Hansjörg Fromm, 2017. "Retained Organizations in IT Outsourcing," Business & Information Systems Engineering: The International Journal of WIRTSCHAFTSINFORMATIK, Springer;Gesellschaft für Informatik e.V. (GI), vol. 59(2), pages 111-124, April.
    8. Phanish Puranam & Harbir Singh & Saikat Chaudhuri, 2009. "Integrating Acquired Capabilities: When Structural Integration Is (Un)necessary," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 20(2), pages 313-328, April.
    9. Martin M�ller & Allison Stewart, 2016. "Does Temporary Geographical Proximity Predict Learning? Knowledge Dynamics in the Olympic Games," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(3), pages 377-390, March.
    10. Marta Cecilia Jaramillo-Mejía & Dov Chernichovsky, 2015. "Información para la calidad del sistema de salud en Colombia: una propuesta de revisión basada en el modelo israelí," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi.
    11. Goldsmith, Peter D. & Salvador, Antonio & Knipe, Dar & Kendall, Elaine, 2002. "Structural Change Or Logical Incrementalism? Turbulence In The Global Meat System," 2002 Annual meeting, July 28-31, Long Beach, CA 19704, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    12. Faggini, Marisa & Parziale, Anna, 2011. "Fitness landscape and tax planning: NK model for fiscal federalism," MPRA Paper 33770, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    13. Mary Uhl‐Bien, 2021. "Complexity and COVID‐19: Leadership and Followership in a Complex World," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1400-1404, July.
    14. Marek Dutkowski, 2023. "Model of an Integrated Ecological System Nature - Man - Technology - Culture," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(2), pages 255-268.
    15. Tan, Justin, 2007. "Phase transitions and emergence of entrepreneurship: The transformation of Chinese SOEs over time," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 77-96, January.
    16. Tiziana Callari & Corinne Bieder & Barry Kirwan, 2019. "What is it like for a middle manager to take safety into account? Practices and challenges," Post-Print hal-01935746, HAL.
    17. Diana Joița & Mirela Panait & Carmen-Elena Dobrotă & Alin Diniță & Adrian Neacșa & Laura Elly Naghi, 2023. "The European Dilemma—Energy Security or Green Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-16, April.
    18. Ian Johnstone & Joshua Lincoln, 2022. "Global Governance in an Era of Pluralism," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 13(4), pages 563-570, September.
    19. Hu, Shan & Yu, Yongze & Fei, Qingyu, 2023. "Social credit and patent quality: Evidence from China," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    20. Haina Zhang, 2017. "Complexity absorption: a processual strategic approach to corporate entrepreneurship strategy," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • J40 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - General
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O35 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Social Innovation

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ers:journl:v:xxviii:y:2025:i:2:p:566-576. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Marios Agiomavritis (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://ersj.eu/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.