This upper-level textbook provides a practical guide to the field of organization design, grounded in academic literature. It is set apart from other books on the topic by its commitment to be relevant to Master’s students, as well as practitioners looking for evidence-based guidance.

 

The book provides a solid theoretical background for students, defining what organization design is, exploring the history of the field, and describing established frameworks and theories. It then investigates why organizations may seek to embark on a re-design, and what a well-designed organization looks like, referencing case studies and the author’s own research. From there, it takes students through how organization design occurs, examining various models for intervention, the core steps in designing an organization, and what challenges a practitioner may face, all illustrated by stories from the field. This book includes a wide range of didactic elements for students, including learning objectives, case study examples, review questions, and further reading. It examines the impact of new ways of organizing, and draws on the author’s years of experience as a consultant to ensure that academic theory is seamlessly melded with practical application.