The Company as a Wirearchy … in 2013?  |  October 14, 2008  

First, I want to clarify something for context.

I do not believe that what I call "wirearchy" will replace hierarchy holus-bolus as an organizing principle (I have said and written this many times). Rather, I subscribe to Stan Davis’ perspective, outlined in the book Future Perfect (1987).

"Networks will not replace or supplement hierarchies; rather the two will be encompassed within a broader conception that embraces both. We are still a long way from figuring out the appropriate and encompassing organization models for the economy we are now in."

So … today in my inbox I found David Gurteen’s 100th newsletter, a folksy and informative ramble through David’s latest peregrinations. David is a speaker, consultant and human networking "hub" who travels the world animating Knowledge Cafes. 

David was recently interviewed by The Economist Intelligence Unit for a report titled "The Digital Company 2013 - The freedom to collaborate".

David outlines the key themes explored by the report, which sound (to me) very similar to several of the key elements of wirearchy I have discussed here and there over the past several years.

I wonder what Bertrand Duperrin or Luis Suarez (just to pick on a couple of energetic thinkers about the organization of the future) might have to say about the digital company of the year 2013 ?


The digital company 2013: Freedom to collaborate

I was recently interviewed for a report The digital company 2013: Freedom to collaborate. being written by Kim Thomas for the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Key findings:
Technology knowledge will permeate the enterprise.
Social networks will be common in the workplace, like it or not.
Beware information paralysis.
Digital tools will democratise access to information.
Digital tools provide employees with greater control over the information they can access.
IT will also need to loosen the reins.
Ceding technology control will be good medicine.

Jon Husband
Wirearchy