Given the massive interest in the subject of "changing forms" as indicated by the workshop (although not on this website appatrently!), it is probably that there would be support for a continuing "search project" as long as we use the right medium to reach each other.  (Maybe this is some sort of e-mail round with periodic loadings on to the website?).

 

The topic which would be of most interest to me is networks and how to bring about, sustain and develop network forms within and across the hierarchical forms which are likely to be around for some time yet.  The argument is something like this:

 

1. The intellectual argument for networks as a way to deliver effective, safe and equitable health services (and perhaps for other services) has been around for perhaps 15 years or more and is now NHS policy across a wide range of services especially including the big "killers" of heart disease and cancer.  Despite this there is evidence that these clinical and "managed" networks are not working as intended.  A recent paper suggest that, of the 5 London Cancer networks, only one is showing any signs of "networking" whilst the other 4 are substantially distorted by "vertical pulls".

 

2.Having experienced that substantial distortion via vertical pulls in my own working life, it seems high time to try and bring something that seems to work "in theory" into realisation in practice. 

 

3. This does not feel like a small project but as a substantial programme of work.  Threads and themes that come to mind include:

 

- markets, hierarchies & networks - re-visiting the history of the 3 ways of organising, going back at least to Burns & Stalker

 

- more history - what can we learn from the "failure" of matrix organisation?  Was this an earlier attempt on the same peak?

 

- what contextual conditions are necessary to give networks a chance of thriving?

 

- how can network organisations be accountable? what is a "managed network"?

- what does leadership look like in networks?  How does it different from current conceptions?

 

And no doubt many more.  Any thoughts?

 

Cheers

 

Mike

25/11/07