Developing a Metaphor for Self-Managed Organizations

Abstract

This chapter presents the Avocado metaphor for advanced value organizations (AVOs) based on emergent, hybrid, and self-maturing temporary organizational theories. The metaphor was constructed through bricolage, bringing in concepts and ideas from different areas. AVOs develop as a response to ever-changing business environments, which are more and more often transiting towards new ways of working, primarily projects. Avocado organizations reflect the global trend of smaller organizational designs creating organizations within organizations and teams of teams. Research is theoretical. It includes a general view on metaphors and their importance in organizational theory. Special attention is given to the definition of advanced value organizations, emergent theories, hybrid organizational designs, organizational lifecycles, and maturing processes, as well as temporary organizations and new working arrangements based mainly on projects. The avocado metaphor is explained in every section allowing a better understanding of how it can be used to describe modern-day organizations.