Beyond networking: The rise of the nebulous organisation

The networked organisation, or its successor, the nebulous organisation, is not just a future possibility. It already exists. We may have not noticed it by thinking that IT is the only influence in this direction. Philip Powell looks at other influences including different new technologies, bureaux and facilities management, consultancy, franchising, joint ventures, home working, supplier relations, R&D consortia and licensing, and government sponsorship. He integrates the consequences of these influences, pointing out that they all have the effect of making an organisation an ambiguous body -- the nebulous organisation. However, there are likely to be conflicts with traditional vertical hierarchies.