| This dissertation is a qualitative research effort to build a grounded theory of organizing in a postindustrial environment. To aid in this theory building, organizations considered innovative in either configuration, use of technology, or in their ability to provide service to clients were selected.;The primary source of data was in-depth interviews with organizational members. Between twelve and twenty interviews were conducted in each of the four organizations participating in this study. Observational data was collected in the two smallest organizations, in order to complement the interview data. For all four organizations, archival data--newspaper clippings, web-pages, promotional and published material--were included in the analysis, to further supplement the interview data.;The analysis focused on four central themes pertinent to organizing in the postindustrial economy. (1) The role of Trust: A theoretical definition of trust is presented. Second, trust in the relationship with clients is explored, as well as the role of trust within an organization and between an organization and its partners. (2) The role of Communication: The discussion explores the communicative mode of organizations and it's implications for organizing in various settings. The analysis also focuses on the range and the sophistication level of communication media use and its implications for servicing clients. (3) The use of Information and Communication Technologies: The analysis of information and communication technology (ICT) use focuses on two areas: First, the practices involving the use of ICT in service delivery; Second, the practices involving the use of ICT in service production. (4) The permeability of organizational boundaries: The analysis of the permeability of boundaries focuses on two key areas. One is the increasing permeability of boundaries between companies and their clients. The other is the increasing permeability of boundaries both within companies and between companies working together to provide services to clients.;This dissertation presents a grounded theory of organizing in the postindustrial environment. This theory, based on the qualitative analysis of the data, takes the form of a set of propositions, suitable for empirical testing. |
