Equifinality: Functional Equivalence in Organization Design
揭示了权变理论中关于功能与结构的假设，提出功能等价的设计视角，并区分了三种等终性类型：次优、权衡和构型，对管理者的设计实践有指导意义。
Theorists have often acknowledged the importance of equifinality in organization design and, in recent years, several studies have demonstrated the concept empirically. This article exposes the assumptions regarding function and structure that underlie contingency theory and develops a functional equivalence view of design. By examining the degree of conflict in functional demands together with the latitude of structural options available, we reveal and describe three different types of equifinality: suboptimal. tradeoff, and configurational. The functional equivalence approach implies a different agenda and emphasis for research on structure and design and has normative implications for how managers should design to achieve performance.