Research On Cellular Organization

Zero-time enterprise is a kind of advanced business pattern which is developed from time-based competition environment. The implementation of zero-time operation needs corporations carry out in-depth innovation of organization structure and changeover of operational philosophy. The key of organization structure innovation is integrating all kinds of useful resources and different manufacturing processes. This kind of innovation leads to the appearance of Cellular organization, which is organized of the self-government work cells. Cellular organization has strong capability to adapt to complex and changing competitive environment. However, there is little research on Cellular organization, and we lack plentiful theories about this organization form. So, it is necessary to study the characteristics and management mechanisms on Cellular organization. This research which focuses on cellular organization uses some theoretical methods associated with empirical investigation to carry out the study. The main contents include:(1) Examine the relationships between organizational structure and time-based performance.We consider six dimensions of organization structure, such as, fewer layers, lower locus of decision-making, less formalization, organizing units around core processes, breaking internal boundary and infiltrating external boundary. A research framework is built to examine relationships among the six aspects of organization structure and time-based performance in the Chinese automobile industry, and a contingency approach is taken by examining the moderating effects of firm size and ownership. Regression results show that all dimensions of organization structure have significant influence on time-based performance. Subgroup analysis reveals that these main effects are not moderated by firm size and ownership. Little empirical studies have examined the relationships of organization structure and time-based performance.(2)Propose the definition, holonic properties, and control structure of cellular organization.Based on the holonic system theory, this research illustrates the definition of cellular organization, analyses the five main properties as resources quickly integrated, self- government work cell, self-study and updating, collaboration, and dynamic flexible structure. And then, it discusses the instant capability mechanisms of cellular organization. After that, it proposes the control structure of cellular organization from three aspects, that is, structure level, organizing process and control mechanisms. Then, it gives an example as Acer Group to illustrate the global customer management, new products developing and new businesses growing.(3)Develop a socio-technical system evaluation model of cellular organization.This research proposes the construct principal of cellular organization and develops a socio-technical system evaluation model of work cells from cost reducing, quality improvement, adaptability increasing and time reducing. After that, it constructs a STS evaluation model employing AHP. Finally, it gives an example to illustrate the application of the evaluation model. The existing literature about cellular organization evaluation focused on technical dimension, but little considers the social dimension.(4) Propose the coordination problems and coordination mechanisms in cellular organization.This paper uses factor analysis method to explore the coordinate problems in cellular organization, and proposes three coordination levels according to study results. According to the coordination levels, it analyzes the corresponding coordination mechanisms. Based on the basic theory of life science, it analyzes the like-biological coordination principal of cellular organization, and proposes coordination structure mode. Finally, it illustrates the coordination mechanisms with a case of GE.(5) Propose Knowledge sharing incentive mechanism in cellular organization.Little literature studies on incentive mechanism of knowledge sharing. Incentive mechanism performs an important coordination function in cellular organization. This research explores the value chain in cellular organization, and then discusses the factors influencing knowledge sharing and coordination ways. Secondly, it analyzes the incentive problems based on principal-agent theory, and proposes the incentive model. Finally, it illuminates the processes and some questions must be paid regard to for mechanism design.