The Palace: Perspectives on Organisation Design

Garrow V, Varney S | Report 501 | Institute for Employment Studies | Jul 2013

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When organisations grapple with a challenging and changing economic and social environment, it is sometimes evident that some re-modelling, or even a fresh start, is needed to sweep away old structures and clear out obsolete processes and procedures.

Against a backdrop of systemic failures and loss of trust in some of our best respected institutions, Organisation Design is high on the agenda.

This report uses the story of an old palace to consider the challenges of design in a complex and highly connected world, where organisations are expected to be agile and innovative, work globally in a seamless way, and continually ‘engage’ talented employees through an attractive employer brand.

It explores the move from ‘organisation’ to ‘organising’ and the delicate balance between designing to innovate while managing risk.