Will Organization Design Be Affected By Big Data?

Authors

  • Giles Slinger Concentra
  • Rupert Morrison Concentra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7146/jod.9729

Keywords:

Organization design, big data, organizational structure, organization design process

Abstract

Computing power and analytical methods allow us to create, collate, and analyze more data than ever before. When datasets are unusually large in volume, velocity, and variety, they are referred to as “big data.” Some observers have suggested that in order to cope with big data (a) organizational structures will need to change and (b) the processes used to design organizations will be different. In this article, we differentiate big data from relatively slow-moving, linked people data. We argue that big data will change organizational structures as organizations pursue the opportunities presented by big data. The processes by which organizations are designed, however, will be relatively unaffected by big data. Instead, organization design processes will be more affected by the complex links found in people data.

Author Biography

Giles Slinger, Concentra

Rupert Morrison

Managing Director, OrgVue & Concentra

Rupert has 15 years' experience in operations consulting, supply chain optimisation and economic modelling, and is an authority in organisational design. Rupert founded Concentra with the aim of putting technology into the hands of clients to let them achieve consulting impact on a lasting basis. Previously, Rupert was a Principal at consultants A.T. Kearney where he led operations, supply chain, procurement and capacity management engagements for large private and public sector clients in Europe, Africa and North America.

Rupert is a native of New Zealand, is an All-Blacks fanatic and has an MSc in Economics from Erasmus University, Rotterdam.

 

Giles Slinger

Director, OrgVue

Giles has 15 years of consulting experience both as a manager at A.T. Kearney and running Transparent Consulting Limited. Giles's focus areas are on operations management improvement, intelligent use of business information and revolutionary tools for employee engagement, including supporting line managers with fast feedback. In partnership with Tomorrow's Company Giles has run research on Employee Engagement methods in FTSE-100 companies since 2010.

Giles was born in the north of England, has lived in Japan, France and London for the last 15 years and has a PhD in Economics from Cambridge University

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Published

2014-12-11

How to Cite

Slinger, G., & Morrison, R. (2014). Will Organization Design Be Affected By Big Data?. Journal of Organization Design, 3(3), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.7146/jod.9729

Issue

Section

Research Article