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Assumptions of Hierarchy and Heterarchy, with Applications to the Management of the Multinational Corporation

In: Organization Theory and the Multinational Corporation

Author

Listed:
  • Gunnar Hedlund

Abstract

The virtues of hierarchical organization — of matter, of life, of information, of human institutions — are mostly taken for granted. Analysts invoke the supposed virtues of hierarchy without much specification. An example is Galbraith’s (1973) synthesis of the information-processing theory of organization design: the discussion is very detailed on most aspects of design dimensions, but hierarchy is left curiously anonymous. Hierarchical structuring is introduced as one of the first and most fundamental ways of improving the handling of information, but why it is among the first and fundamental is left unexplained.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunnar Hedlund, 1993. "Assumptions of Hierarchy and Heterarchy, with Applications to the Management of the Multinational Corporation," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: Sumantra Ghoshal & D. Eleanor Westney (ed.), Organization Theory and the Multinational Corporation, chapter 9, pages 211-236, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-22557-6_9
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-22557-6_9
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Pearce, 2001. "Multinationals and Industrialisation: The Bases of 'Inward Investment' Policy," International Journal of the Economics of Business, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 51-73.
    2. Gast, Andreas. & Lessard, Donald R., 1997. "Multi-point knowledge development processes in the multinational firm," Working papers WP 3985-97., Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Management.
    3. Lee, Soo Hee & Williams, Christopher, 2007. "Dispersed entrepreneurship within multinational corporations: A community perspective," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 42(4), pages 505-519, December.
    4. Filip De Beule, 2011. "Localization, Globalization and Networks of foreign Subsidiaries," Working Papers id:4500, eSocialSciences.
    5. Marie-Claude Belis-Bergouignan & Gerard Bordenave & Yannick Lung, 2000. "Global Strategies in the Automobile Industry," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 34(1), pages 41-53.
    6. Reihlen, Markus, 1998. "Die Heterarchie als postbürokratisches Organisationsmodell der Zukunft," Working Paper Series 96, University of Cologne, Department of Business Policy and Logistics.
    7. Vapola, Terhi Johanna & Paukku, Markus & Gabrielsson, Mika, 2010. "Portfolio management of strategic alliances: An international business perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 247-260, June.
    8. Williams, Christopher & van Triest, Sander, 2009. "The impact of corporate and national cultures on decentralization in multinational corporations," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 156-167, April.
    9. Melanie Feakins, 2007. "Off and Out: The Spaces for Certification—Offshore Outsourcing in St Petersburg, Russia," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 39(8), pages 1889-1907, August.
    10. repec:rdg:wpaper:em-dp2004-10 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Pearce, Robert & Papanastassiou, Marina, 2006. "To 'almost see the world': Hierarchy and strategy in Hymer's view of the multinational," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 151-165, April.
    12. Guido Nassimbeni & Guido Orzes & Marco Sartor, 2018. "Strategic Types and Competences of Domestic and Foreign Plants: An Empirical Study," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 19(4), pages 817-841, August.
    13. Julia Manea & Robert Pearce, 2006. "MNEs’ strategies in Central and Eastern Europe: key elements of subsidiary behaviour," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 235-255, March.
    14. Dimitris Manolopoulos & Marina Papanastassiou & Robert Pearce, 2007. "Knowledge-related competitiveness and the roles of multinationals’ R&D in a peripheral European economy: Survey analysis of Greece," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 47(5), pages 661-682, September.
    15. Ciabuschi, Francesco & Dellestrand, Henrik & Kappen, Philip, 2012. "The good, the bad, and the ugly: Technology transfer competence, rent-seeking, and bargaining power," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 664-674.
    16. Filippaios, Fragkiskos & Papanastassiou, Marina & Pearce, Robert & Rama, Ruth, 2009. "New forms of organisation and R&D internationalisation among the world's 100 largest food and beverages multinationals," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 1032-1043, July.
    17. Yamin, Mohammad & Forsgren, Mats, 2006. "Hymer's analysis of the multinational organization: Power retention and the demise of the federative MNE," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 166-179, April.
    18. Kedia, Ben L. & Mukherji, Ananda, 1999. "Global managers: developing a mindset for global competitiveness," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 230-251, October.
    19. Henry Wai-Chung Yeung, 2000. "Embedding Foreign Affiliates in Transnational Business Networks: The Case of Hong Kong Firms in Southeast Asia," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 32(2), pages 201-222, February.
    20. Robert Pearce, 2009. "Multinationals’ Strategies and the Economic Development of Small Economies: A Tale of Two Transitions," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 81-94, February.
    21. Henry Wai-chung Yeung & Jessie Poon & Martin Perry, 2001. "Towards a Regional Strategy: The Role of Regional Headquarters of Foreign Firms in Singapore," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 38(1), pages 157-183, January.
    22. Paterson, S. L. & Brock, D. M., 2002. "The development of subsidiary-management research: review and theoretical analysis," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 11(2), pages 139-163, April.
    23. Pearce, Robert, 1999. "The evolution of technology in multinational enterprises: the role of creative subsidiaries," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 8(2), pages 125-148, April.

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