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It is common practice in organizational research to restrict the concept of organization to formal organizations, and to describe the world outside these entities by such other concepts as institutions or networks. It is argued in this article that the concept of organization can be fruitfully broadened to include some aspects of the order that exists outside and among organizations. A broader concept includes not only complete, formal organization, but also 'partial organization'. Both types of organization are based on decisions, but whereas complete organizations have access to all elements of organization, partial organization is based on only one or a few of these elements. Like complete organization, partial organization is a common phenomenon that not least characterizes much of the contemporary global order. The authors discuss how partial organization arises, how and why institutions and networks sometimes become organized, and the consequences of organization for change, transparency and accountability.

In this introduction for undergraduate students, the author surveys the development of the study of organizations from an historical point of view. He studies organizations within the framework of the main schools of thought, looks into the various levels of analysis involved, and considers the influence of the environment on the organization, particularly that of technology and of other organizations.

Organization design in its verb form is explored through a study of the design practices of a major contemporary architect, Frank O. Gehry, and his firm, Gehry Partners, LLP. Through four case studies, we explore how the organization design of his architectural projects is an outcome of Gehry Partner's design gestalt. We argue that this design gestalt is a primary source of their organization designing and is composed of an architectural vision, the tight coupling of multiple representation technologies, and a commitment to a collaborative process of design and construction. These elements of design together form a holistic, organizing pattern—their design gestalt—that is evident in all of Gehry Partners projects, both their buildings and their organizational forms. We offer three characteristics of organization designing—focus on form giving, relation to environment, and temporality. We argue that developing a design gestalt and strengthening the capacity for organization designing is crucial for firms in our increasingly knowledge- and experience-based economy.

Attempts to build a bridge between the study of international organizations and the sociology of organizations. Suggest that a number of concepts from the sociology of organizations can be effectively used to illuminate issues in international organizations. Focuses on organizational performance and its determinants in environment, technology, goals and structure. (Abstract amended)

In afirst experiment groups offivesubjects solved problems while seated at either a circular or a rectangular table. The leader's position at the end of the rectangular table enhanced his ability to direct the group. Leaders of the circular table did not benefit from a privileged position and were forced to ease group tension arising from competing solutions put forth by group members. In the second study, the experimenter either actively intervened in afour-member discussion or refrained. The groups all discussed at a circular table before moving to a rectangular table in a different room. Before-after comparisons of the seats chosen were made. Choice of seats at the rectangular table reflected the social relations that developed in the first part of the experiment.

AbstractThe article tries to theoretically re-conceptualize international organizations as world organizations. As International Relations Theories primarily concentrate on the linkage between states and international organizations they mostly neglect conceptualizing them and their changing roles in world politics. This contribution therefore suggests conceptualizing international organizations from an organization studies perspective as open system embedded in and influenced by its societal environment, i.e., world society. Thus, international organizations having no spatial restrictions concerning its membership shall be conceived as world organizations by differentiating four key characteristics: world semantics, inner world, external relations, and world order. Taking an open system's perspective as the common ground for these four characteristics world organizations will be illustrated by focusing on the World Trade Organization and World Bank.