Chapter 1

Introduction

Designing the Networked Organization

The network can be the organization, and this book suggests a framework for designing such an organization. This chapter lays the groundwork as follows:

  • What makes a networked organization?
  • What are your answers to three provocations?
  • Who is this book for?
  • What lies ahead?

What Makes a Networked Organization?

We suggest three distinguishing characteristics:

  1. Independence. The members of a network—be they individuals, business units, or companies—enjoy significantly more freedom than their counterparts in traditional organizations.
  2. Community. A community shares a sense of identity, communication norms, and mutual obligations. The word “community” might sound paradoxical coming after ...

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