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Creating the N-Form Corporation as a Managerial Competence

Author

Listed:
  • van Wijk, R.A.J.L.
  • van den Bosch, F.A.J.

Abstract

This paper discusses key properties of the N-form corporation or internal network forms of organizing from three mutually related perspectives: structure, knowledge flows and management processes. To operationalize knowledge flows, a key property of N-forms, the paper suggests a new measure, the H/V ratio, to empirically assess the configuration of knowledge flows. The argument is illustrated by a case study of a firm showing that top management's perception about having an internal network contradicts with reality as vertical knowledge flows appear to dominate the horizontal ones. The managerial competence required for creating internal networks aimed at knowledge creation and sharing will be discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • van Wijk, R.A.J.L. & van den Bosch, F.A.J., 2000. "Creating the N-Form Corporation as a Managerial Competence," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2000-24-STR, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    • Handle: RePEc:ems:eureri:32
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    File URL: https://repub.eur.nl/pub/32/erimrs20000626142506.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. van den Bosch, F.A.J. & van Wijk, R.A.J.L., 2000. "Creation of Managerial Capabilities Through Managerial Knowledge Integration," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2000-19-STR, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    2. Michiel De Boer & Frans A. J. Van Den Bosch & Henk W. Volberda, 1999. "Managing Organizational Knowledge Integration in the Emerging Multimedia Complex," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(3), pages 379-398, May.
    3. Robert M. Grant, 1996. "Prospering in Dynamically-Competitive Environments: Organizational Capability as Knowledge Integration," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 7(4), pages 375-387, August.
    4. Milgrom, Paul & Roberts, John, 1995. "Complementarities and fit strategy, structure, and organizational change in manufacturing," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(2-3), pages 179-208, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fariza ACHCAOUCAOU & Merce BERNARDO & Jose M. CASTAN, 2009. "Determinants of Organisational Structures: An Empirical Study," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 10(3), pages 566-577, July.
    2. Baaij, M.G. & van den Bosch, F.A.J. & Volberda, H.W., 2005. "How Management Consulting Firms Influence Building and Leveraging of Clients’ Competences: Towards a conceptual framework," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2005-079-STR, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    N-form Corporation; Organizational forms; internal networks; knowledge flows; managerial competence;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L20 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - General
    • M - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics
    • M19 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Other

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