Decentralization, Integration and the Post‐Bureaucratic Organization: The Case of R&d
研究检验了后官僚组织中研发部门分权化的理论，发现实际分权程度低于预期，且分权动机比已有认识更复杂，同时跨职能整合仍是关键问题。
We assess the relevance of theories of increased decentralization in post‐bureaucratic organizations for understanding changes in the organization of the research and development (R&D) function. Analysis of a sample of companies shows that R&D is less decentralized than contemporary accounts suggest, and there are few signs of it becoming more decentralized. We present evidence on the organization of R&D in two sectors (mechanical engineering, and food and drink), which suggests: (1) most firms remain centralized in their approach to R&D, relative to other functions; (2) firms that adopt a more decentralized approach to R&D do so for more complex reasons than have been recognized; (3) inter‐functional integration remains a critical issue, for centralized and decentralized organizations alike; (4) introducing market principles into R&D brings risks of market failure.