Behind the Scenes: Uncovering Technocratic to Democratic Adjustments

Abstract

New institutional arrangements such as networks, partnerships and collaborations have come to constitute a significant part of the contemporary social and organisational architecture. While there is a significant body of literature on organisational change and networks, little attention has been paid to consider the types of changes necessary to shift an organisation from what is often a traditional hierarchy to a ‘network organisation’. This paper addresses the limited research into such change by ‘going behind the scenes’ of a public sector engineering organisation contemplating the strategic and operational change necessary to prepare for becoming a ‘networked organisation’. The paper draws on data collected from a large three year single case study to explore the elements and type of change necessary for a traditional, public sector organisation to shift its culture, behaviour and operating mode to best extract the benefits of collaborative networks.