Organizational systems versus network organisation

Abstract

The interdisciplinary and intersectoral round-table discussion took, place as one of the working groups of the preliminary meeting on «Exploring the Network Alternative» which was heldber 1976 (see report on pages 352·355), The purpose of the discussion was to examine the problem of clarifying the concepts associated with «network" The orientation was provided, in part, by background documents which drew attention to the increasing use of « net-work» in connection with «people-groups» and certain kinds of inter-organizational activity, as distinct from various conventional uses such as in «social networks. of individuals (which are a special preoccupation of a certain schOol of soCiology). Orientation was also provided by informal presentations from Or M. Vidyasagar (electncal networks and gflds), Or R. M. Chen (automatIOn control circuits), Or P. Oansereau (biological and ecological systems), and Or Joseph Fiksel (networks as mathematical objects). A case history of a network of individuals and groups based in New England was presented by Marc Sar-kady (Another Place), complemented by a presentation by Linda LeClair (American Fflends Service Commitlee) on one of that network's particular concerns , namely to campaign against the establishment of a nuclear plant in the area. The extracts presented here focus on the main theme of the discussion during the round-table: as to whether there was any real distinction between a « system. and a « network» and. if so, what that distinction was, particularly in the case of networks of indiViduals, groups and organizations. (This point was also explored in the group on « Complexity» during the meeting of the International Foundation for is included in this issue, pages 369-372). The transcripts have been edited by one of the participants, Anthony Judge, without SUbmitting a draft to the original group. Speakers are not identified by name for this reason (and also bfi-cause not all speakers could be identified from tIle tapes). Known speakers or Z, as appropriate. The editor is however responsible for the final wording since discussion of related themes has been omitted as well as detailed .exploration of some points. The original participants, and others, will be invited to make further comments In the light of this report. It may be asked why it is necessary to adopt the space-consuming metflod of reproduclflg the (almost) verbatim statements made during the discussion, rather than a synopsis, which would normally be adequate. The answer is that it is in fact the original statements …