From Organization Design to Organization Designing

  • Authors:

  • Youngjin Yoo;Richard J. Boland;Kalle Lyytinen

  • Affiliations:

  • Information Design Studio, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7235;Information Design Studio, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7235;Information Design Studio, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7235

  • Venue:
  • Organization Science
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

Organization design in its verb form is explored through a study of the design practices of a major contemporary architect, Frank O. Gehry, and his firm, Gehry Partners, LLP. Through four case studies, we explore how the organization design of his architectural projects is an outcome of Gehry Partners design gestalt. We argue that this design gestalt is a primary source of their organization designing and is composed of an architectural vision, the tight coupling of multiple representation technologies, and a commitment to a collaborative process of design and construction. These elements of design together form a holistic, organizing patterntheir design gestaltthat is evident in all of Gehry Partners projects, both their buildings and their organizational forms. We offer three characteristics of organization designingfocus on form giving, relation to environment, and temporality. We argue that developing a design gestalt and strengthening the capacity for organization designing is crucial for firms in our increasingly knowledge- and experience-based economy.