Michael Lissack
A pharmaceutical company implementing this approach created a research organization structured around scientific challenges rather than fixed departments. Teams formed, evolved, and disbanded based on re- search needs, with scientists moving between multiple projects rather than belonging to a single team. This approach accelerated innovation by enabling rapid formation of teams with the specific expertise needed for each research challenge. Ecosystem Organizations: Traditional organizations maintained clear boundaries between inside and outside. Ecosystem organizations create structured relationships across these boundaries, developing gov- ernance systems that coordinate diverse contributors without requiring traditional employment relationships. A technology platform company exemplifies this approach, creat- ing a governance system that coordinates contributions from employees, independent developers, service providers, and customers. Rather than attempting to bring all activities within organizational boundaries, they developed mechanisms for alignment, value sharing, and quality control across the ecosystem. This approach enabled them to leverage capabilities and resources far beyond what they could develop internally. Ambidextrous Structures: Organizations increasingly need to si- multaneously optimize current operations and explore new possibilities. Ambidextrous structures enable this dual focus by creating distinct but connected systems for exploitation and exploration. A manufacturing company implemented this principle by establishing an “explore” division with different metrics, processes, and cultural norms from its core operations. Rather than forcing the entire organization to operate in both modes simultaneously, they created structured connec- tions between the explore and exploit divisions, with clear processes for transitioning innovations from exploration to implementation. Microenterprises: Some organizations are disaggregating into constel- lations of small, entrepreneurial units connected by shared platforms and coordination mechanisms. These microenterprises combine the adaptabil- ity of small organizations with the resources and stability of larger systems.
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