Title: Simon on problem solving: implications for new organisational forms

Authors: Kirsten Foss, Nicolai J. Foss

Addresses: Copenhagen Business School, Center for Strategic Management and Globalization, Porcelainshaven 24; 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark. ' Copenhagen Business School, Center for Strategic Management and Globalization, Porcelainshaven 24; 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark

Abstract: Two of Herbert Simon|s best-known papers are |The Architecture of Complexity| and |The Structure of Ill-Structured Problems.| We discuss the neglected links between these two papers, highlighting the role of decomposition in the context of problems on which constraints have been imposed as a general approach to problem solving. We apply these Simonian ideas to organisational issues, specifically new organisational forms. Specifically, Simonian ideas allow us to develop a morphology of new organisational forms and to point to some design problems that characterise these forms.

Keywords: Herbert Simon; problem solving; organisational forms; design problems; complexity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2006.011745

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2006 Vol.3 No.4, pp.339 - 356

Published online: 20 Dec 2006 *

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