The Boundaryless Organization Breaking the Chains of Organizational Structure

by Ashkenas, Ron; Ulrich, Dave; Jick, Todd; Kerr, Steve

• ISBN13: 9780787959432
• ISBN10: 078795943X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-23
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

In 1995 The Boundaryless Organization showed companies how to sweep away the artificial obstacles-such as hierarchy, turf, and geography-that get in the way of outstanding business performance. Now, in this completely revised edition of their groundbreaking work, management experts Ron Ashkenas, Dave Ulrich, Todd Jick, and Steve Kerr offer an up-to-date version of their comprehensive guide to help any organization go "boundaryless"-and become a company with the ability to quickly, proactively, and creatively adjust to changes in the environment. With new examples, a new commentary on the developments of the last five years, and illuminating first-hand accounts from pioneering senior executives, the authors once again show why "boundaryless" is a prerequisite for any organization trying to succeed in the economy of the twenty-first century.

Author Biography

Ron Ashkenas is a managing partner of Robert H. Schaffer & Associates in Stamford, Connecticut. A leading consultant to CEOs on organizational transformation, his articles have appeared in Harvard Business Review and other leading business publications. His clients have included General Electric, GlaxoSmithKline, the World Bank, and numerous other public and private sector firms. Dave Ulrich is professor of business administration at the University of Michigan. He was named by Business Week as one of the world's top ten educators in management and the top educator in human resources. Todd Jick, formerly a professor at Harvard Business School, is a managing partner with the Center for Executive Development in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He has consulted with numerous companies in the United States and Europe including Merrill Lynch, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Novartis, and Cadbury Schweppes. Steve Kerr is chief learning officer and a managing director of Goldman Sachs. A former dean at the University of Southern California and former professor of management at the University of Michigan, he was the first chief learning officer for General Electric.

Table of Contents

Foreword	ix
C. K. Prahalad
Foreword	xv
Lawrence A. Bossidy
Preface	xvii
The Authors	xxxv
A New World Order: Rising to the Challenge of New Success Factors	1	(30)
Stepping Up to the Line: How Boundaryless Is Your Organization?	28	(3)
Part One: Free Movement Up and Down: Crossing Vertical Boundaries	31	(72)
First Person: Cesar Guajardo, General Director, Praxair Mexico	31	(6)
Toward a Healthy Hierarchy	37	(25)
Stepping Up to the Line: How Healthy Is Your Organization's Hierarchy?	58	(4)
Rewiring and Returning the Hierarchy	62	(41)
Part Two: Free Movement Side to Side: Crossing Horizontal Boundaries	103	(76)
First Person: Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO, Novartis AG	103	(6)
Beyond Turf and Territory	109	(29)
Stepping Up to the Line: How Congruent Are Your Organization's Horizontal Boundaries?	134	(4)
Integrating Resources to Serve the Customer	138	(41)
Part Three: Free Movement Along the Value Chain: Crossing External Boundaries	179	(64)
First Person: Jim Madden, President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Exult	179	(6)
Toward Partnership with Customers and Suppliers	185	(27)
Stepping Up to the Line: How Well Linked Is Your Organization's Value Chain?	208	(4)
Strengthening the Value Chain	212	(31)
Part Four: Free Global Movement: Crossing Geographic Boundaries	243	(82)
First Person: Mieko Nishimizu, Vice President, World Bank South Asia Region	243	(4)
Toward the Global Corporation	247	(30)
Stepping Up to the Line: How Far Along the Path to Globalization Is Your Organization?	274	(3)
Actions for Global Learners, Launchers, and Leaders	277	(27)
Conclusion: Leading Toward the Boundaryless Organization	304	(21)
Stepping Up to the Line: Are You a Boundaryless Leader?	320	(5)
Notes	325	(8)
Index	333