Community-Oriented Culture and Simple Organizational Structure
Community-Oriented Culture and Simple Organizational Structure

Summary/Abstract: Simplicity has been (and still is) in opposition to the increasingly complex world of organizations. The paper focuses on the problem of simple structure solutions and it aims to define the role of organizational culture in simplifying organizational structures. Simple structures are recognized as those facilitating flexibility and adaptability in the complex, dynamic and unpredictable environment. Since the Ashby’s law, holding that complexity may be balanced by a different kind of complexity, is being questioned, the simplification of structures requires the development of specific mechanisms within the organization. The role of culture in shaping simple structural solutions is presented in the broader context of other factors (the results of empirical research are presented). Organizational culture stands as yet another instrument of coordination – s o far generally overlooked in the literature. The concept of community-oriented culture as crucial for simplifying structures is developed.

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