Cellular organizational structure

For information about nodal structures in the context of physical science, see node (disambiguation). For information about cellular structures in the context of natural biology or in the context of telecommunications, respectively, see cellular biology and cellular network.

Suppose that this 3x3 grid image depicts a social group with nine homogeneous people. With them all in communication with at least one other person, as symbolized by the black lines, the top left individual is part of both a three-person project (area in light red) and a four-person project (area in teal). Organized in a cellular structure, the group may still have both of those projects survive even if the top left person drops out of everything.

A non-biological entity with a cellular organizational structure (also known as a cellular organization, cellular system, nodal organization, nodal structure, et cetera) is set up in such a way that it mimics how natural systems within biology work, with individual 'cells' or 'nodes' working somewhat independently to establish goals and tasks, administer those things, and troubleshoot difficulties. These cells exist in a broader network in which they frequently communicate with each other, exchanging information, in a more of less even organizational playing field. This structure, as applied in areas such as business management, exists in direct contrast to traditional hierarchical leadership that is seen in institutions such as United States government agencies, where one type of boss gives specific orders to another boss and so on down the line.

Background and concepts

With respect to armed conflict, political revolutionaries such as Che Guevera and Mao Tse-tung advocated this kind of approach in terms of mounting guerrilla warfare. Should the state take out a few clandestine cell groups, many other nodes within the general structure remain to continue fighting on. The two figures highlighted this in their influential writings. More recently, government entities such as the United States Department of Homeland Security (itself a strictly managed hierarchical system) have faced problems dealing with terrorist organizations due to those groups' efficient use of cellular organizational planning.

A cellular business structure is partly related, philosophically speaking, to the Hayekian notion of 'spontaneous order'. The theory posits that free association and open access to up-to-date information will lead to individuals naturally creating and sustaining social groups to co-operate for mutual benefit.

Examples

Gabe Newell, pictured speaking in 2010, is one of the co-creators of Valve.

A prominent example of a 'spontaneous order' based organization is the software company Valve and its Steam platform, which has been used for digital distribution of video game related materials. Economist Yanis Varoufakis, who has been a professor at both the University of Athens and the University of Texas as well as a Valve consultant, has remarked on the program EconTalk that "the mobility within the corporation is a great asset, and everybody recognizes it". He's also stated, "Everybody's desk is on wheels. There are only two plugs that need to be unplugged in order to shift from one team to another."

Outside of the economic context, World War II featured a variety of different conflict zones practicing various tactics. Fighting against the onslaught of Nazi Germany, anti-fascist militants such as Marshal Josip Broz Tito's partisans organized in a distributed manner so that they could make spontaneous-like attacks before melting away into the general area. The diversity of leadership meant that each individual cell of militants had significant leeway, though they felt strictly loyal to Tito and the general anti-Nazi cause. Many of these partisans remained involved in Yugoslavian affairs after the war ended.

See also

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External links

• "The Cellular Business Model" - businessvalueexchange.com