Heterarchy: Exploiting Ambiguity and Organizing Diversity

ABSTRACT This paper explores the concept of heterarchy as an organizational form that is an alternative to hierarchies and markets. Heterarchies are characterized by lateral accountability and multiple organizing principles, or in different terms, by distributed intelligence and the organization of diversity. Empirical materials are drawn from the contemporary Hungarian economy where firms operate in an environment of institutional uncertainty. An analysis of the ownership structure of the largest 200 firms and the top 25 banks identifies distinctive network properties created by ties of inter-organizational ownership. Heterarchy contributes to flexibility; but the interweaving of multiple logics of justification poses new problems of accountability.

摘要 本文探讨了异层级制（heterarchy）这一作为科层制与市场替代性组织形式的概念。异层级制的核心特征为横向问责与多重组织原则，换言之，即具备分布式智能（distributed intelligence）与多样性组织的特性。本研究的实证材料取自当代匈牙利经济场景，当地企业彼时正身处制度不确定性的经营环境之中。通过对匈牙利规模最大的200家企业与前25家银行的股权结构展开分析，本研究识别出由组织间股权纽带所形成的独特网络属性。异层级制有助于提升运营灵活性，但多重正当性逻辑的交织也带来了新的问责难题。