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Cover image for The boundaryless organization : breaking the chains of organizational structure
Title:
The boundaryless organization : breaking the chains of organizational structure
Edition:
2nd ed.
Publication Information:
San Francisco, Calif. : Jossey-Bass, 2002
ISBN:
9780787959432
General Note:
"Revised and updated"
Added Author:

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30000004791335 HD 58.8 B67 2002 Open Access Book Book
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Summary

Summary

In 1995 The Boundaryless Organization showed companies how to sweep away the artificial obstacles-such as hierarchy, turf, and geography-that get in the way of outstanding business performance. Now, in this completely revised edition of their groundbreaking work, management experts Ron Ashkenas, Dave Ulrich, Todd Jick, and Steve Kerr offer an up-to-date version of their comprehensive guide to help any organization go "boundaryless"-and become a company with the ability to quickly, proactively, and creatively adjust to changes in the environment. With new examples, a new commentary on the developments of the last five years, and illuminating first-hand accounts from pioneering senior executives, the authors once again show why "boundaryless" is a prerequisite for any organization trying to succeed in the economy of the twenty-first century.


Author Notes

Ron Ashkenas is a managing partner of Robert H. Schaffer & Associates in Stamford, Connecticut. A leading consultant to CEOs on organizational transformation, his articles have appeared in Harvard Business Review and other leading business publications. His clients have included General Electric, GlaxoSmithKline, the World Bank, and numerous other public and private sector firms.
Dave Ulrich is professor of business administration at the University of Michigan. He was named by Business Week as one of the world's top ten educators in management and the top educator in human resources.
Todd Jick, formerly a professor at Harvard Business School, is a managing partner with the Center for Executive Development in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has consulted with numerous companies in the United States and Europe including Merrill Lynch, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Novartis, and Cadbury Schweppes.
Steve Kerr is chief learning officer and a managing director of Goldman Sachs. A former dean at the University of Southern California and former professor of management at the University of Michigan, he was the first chief learning officer for General Electric.


Reviews 2

Booklist Review

Most solutions being recommended today for improving corporate performance prescribe reducing hierarchy by changing organizational structure, altering boundaries, and overcoming barriers within the organization. The authors go much further, calling for a "boundaryless organization," and they consider much more than the traditional and the obvious boundaries that exist within organizations. This book grew out of work done by the authors as consultants hired by General Electric's CEO Jack Welch, who first approached them with the concept of a "boundaryless organization." Applying what they learned in the effort to transform the way GE did business and from numerous other examples, they consider the vertical, horizontal, external, and geographic boundaries that exist for organizations. The authors provide tools to help measure the degree to which boundaries exist, demonstrate the consequences of boundaries, and identify steps to eliminate them. --David Rouse


Choice Review

The concept of "boundarylessness" is critical for today's managers. Given the ever-increasing rates of change, managers must fully understand this concept and be able to direct the necessary adjustments in organizational structure and processes to survive. In this book, four prominent management consultants/educators collaborate to guide managers through the paradigm shift. They identify four types of organizational boundaries: vertical (staff members at various levels), horizontal (functional areas), external (outside environment), and geographic (worldwide). Each section contains an explanation of the boundary, key points to evaluate, and an assessment instrument to help determine the organization's present position. Instruction and case examples follow to assist in the planning and implementation process. Specific guidelines are presented to facilitate implementation. Several charts, diagrams, and models are included. The final chapter serves as a challenge to organizational leaders responsible for overseeing this continuous process. The authors not only cover the technical aspects but also acknowledge the personal dimensions--the feelings of uncertainty, confusion, disruption, and anxiety that are always present but rarely discussed. This book's strengths lie in the practical, real-world cases included as well as the sage and timely advice of these experienced authors. Graduate; faculty; professional. G. Klinefelter; Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale


Table of Contents

C. K. PrahaladLawrence A. Bossidy
Forewordp. ix
Forewordp. xv
Prefacep. xvii
The Authorsp. xxxv
1 A New World Order: Rising to the Challenge of New Success Factorsp. 1
Stepping Up to the Line: How Boundaryless Is Your Organization?p. 28
Part 1 Free Movement Up and Down: Crossing Vertical Boundariesp. 31
First Person: Cesar Guajardo, General Director, Praxair Mexicop. 31
2 Toward a Healthy Hierarchyp. 37
Stepping Up to the Line: How Healthy Is Your Organization's Hierarchy?p. 58
3 Rewiring and Retuning the Hierarchyp. 62
Part 2 Free Movement Side to Side: Crossing Horizontal Boundariesp. 103
First Person: Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO, Novartis AGp. 103
4 Beyond Turf and Territoryp. 109
Stepping Up to the Line: How Congruent Are Your Organization's Horizontal Boundaries?p. 134
5 Integrating Resources to Serve the Customerp. 138
Part 3 Free Movement Along the Value Chain: Crossing External Boundariesp. 179
First Person: Jim Madden, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Exultp. 179
6 Toward Partnership with Customers and Suppliersp. 185
Stepping Up to the Line: How Well Linked Is Your Organization's Value Chain?p. 208
7 Strengthening the Value Chainp. 212
Part 4 Free Global Movement: Crossing Geographic Boundariesp. 243
First Person: Mieko Nishimizu, Vice President, World Bank South Asia Regionp. 243
8 Toward the Global Corporationp. 247
Stepping Up to the Line: How Far Along the Path to Globalization Is Your Organization?p. 274
9 Actions for Global Learners, Launchers, and Leadersp. 277
10 Conclusion: Leading Toward the Boundaryless Organizationp. 304
Stepping Up to the Line: Are You a Boundaryless Leader?p. 320
Notesp. 325
Indexp. 333
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