Computer support of organization design and learning

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Abstract
Organization design is a pervasive phenomenon that significantly impacts performance, and yet organization design activity has received little direct support from computer technology. If organization learning is viewed as the process whereby knowledge is developed, then organization design both influences the organizational learning that occurs and is at least a partial reflection of the organizational learning that has occurred. This article examines the significance, bases, and means for developing multiuser, computer‐based environments for supporting organization design and learning. The article introduces a working perspective of organization design and learning highlighted by three key ideas. Organization design and learning (1) is defined in terms of organization work, structure, and process; (2) is an ongoing evolutionary phenomenon; and (3) can and should be an inclusive, distributed, multiparticipant effort. The article identifies the requirements for computer‐based technology that supports this working perspective and then presents an overview of a prototype technology that addresses these requirements. The prototype technology consists of two interacting components: Deva, an interactive, multiuser, graphical editor for managing process descriptions; and GPOD, an associated group process for using Deva for organization design. We conclude that such technologies will enable organizations to become self‐organizing systems, thereby allowing them to compete more effectively and survive in today's rapidly changing environment.

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