The concept of equilibrium in organization theory

Many organization theories consist of an interpretation frame and an idea about the ideal equilibrium state. This article explains how the equilibrium concept is used in four organization theories: the theories of Fayol, Mintzberg, Morgan, and Volberda. Equilibrium can be defined as balance, fit or requisite variety. Equilibrium is related to observables dependent on the definition of organization as work organization, formal organization or artifact organization. Equilibrium can be explicitly related to performance in the theory used, enabling cross-sectional research. The discussed theories can be mapped on a state space model in a way that clarifies the equilibrium concept, namely a mu-space (Fayol and Morgan), or a gamma-space (Mintzberg and Volberda)

The integration of stimulation and knowledge systems: a semiotic perspective

In a time of rapid change of technological possibilities and of internationalization, organizations need to experiment with these new possibilities, and to understand their potential for change and improvement. This potential for change and improvement can only be revealed by organizational thinking, thinking using existing and novel organization concepts. Organizational thinking can be stimulated and supported by formalization of existing theories, in order to analyze their range of expressiveness and logical structure (Gazendam, 1993), as well as by simulation models that show emergent organizational phenomena, especially related to interagent communication and knowledge in organizations

Information system metaphors

Metaphors are useful because they are efficient: they transfer a complex of meaning in a few words. Information systems are social constructs. Therefore, metaphors seem to be especially useful for explaining the space of possible meaning complexes or designs of information systems. Three information system metaphors and the associated meaning complexes are explained: the mill, the cell, and the mind. An information system as a mill is characterized by the efficient processing of large quantities of information. The processing has to be done using fixed, that is, invariant, rules en patterns that may be very complex. An information system as a cell is characterized by its fluent and adequate interaction with people. The information system consists of objects that take care of preserving their own integrity and that react on events. The cell metaphor is characterized by interaction and integrity. The information system as a mind appears as an intelligent assistant embodying that mind. An information system as a mind is characterized by capabilities like knowledge use, autonomy and learning. These three metaphors can be combined, and are combined, in real-life organizations

Theories about architecture and performance of multi-agent systems

Multi-agent systems are promising as models of organization because they are based on the idea that most work in human organizations is done based on intelligence, communication, cooperation, and massive parallel processing. They offer an alternative for system theories of organization, which are rather abstract of nature and do not pay attention to the agent level. In contrast, classical organization theories offer a rather rich source of inspiration for developing multi-agent models because of their focus on the agent level. This paper studies the plausibility of theoretical choices in the construction of multi-agent systems. Multi-agent systems have to be plausible from a philosophical, psychological, and organizational point of view. For each of these points of view, alternative theories exist. Philosophically, the organization can be seen from the viewpoints of realism and constructivism. Psychologically, several agent types can be distinguished. A main problem in the construction of psychologically plausible computer agents is the integration of response function systems with representational systems. Organizationally, we study aspects of the architecture of multi-agent systems, namely topology, system function decomposition, coordination and synchronization of agent processes, and distribution of knowledge and language characteristics among agents. For each of these aspects, several theoretical perspectives exist.