Shamrock Organization

Shamrock Organization is an organizational structure where a core of essential executives and workers are supported by outside contractors and part-time help. The shamrock leaf shape is a symbolic representation of an organization with three types of workforce, having a main body and connected lobes that together form a whole. The term was invented by Irish academic and management author/philosopher Charles Handy.

Shamrock organizations have an organizational structure with three distinct parts. The first part, or leaf, represents the core staff of the organization. They are likely to be highly trained professionals who form the senior management. The second leaf consists of the contractual fringe and may include individuals who once worked for the organization but now supply services to it. These individuals operate within broad guidelines set down by the organization but have a high degree of flexibility and discretionary powers. The third leaf describes the consultancy (professional/high-tech). These workers are sufficiently close enough to the organization to feel a degree of commitment to it, ensuring they maintain a high standard of work.

The term shamrock was devised from Handy's love of his native flower, which stemmed from his mother, who used to make shamrock flavoured ice-cream for a young Handy and his siblings.