Christopher D. Sessums :: Blog :: Exploring Organizational Structures and Social Software

The most common organizational structures we have today are simply the least bad fit for group action in an environment of high transaction costs (Shirky, 2008, p. 46).

  
This quote can apply to government, institutions, companies, schools, hospitals, baseball teams, or any type of large group where the coordination of group activity is required. Similarly, it points to the notion of how difficult it is to know what you're missing if you unaware of the possibilities.

Shirky's text looks deeper into how social software is creating new ways to leverage old behaviors. I am only two chapters in, and I am looking forward to seeing what other insights he has to offer.

One idea that has immediately struck me is classic theory to practice conundrum. In theory, social software, i.e., communication tools, offer a platform for people "to share, cooperate with one another, and to take collect action all outside the framework of traditional institutions and organizations" (Shirky, 2008, p. 21). Yet there are still anumber of complexities that keep people from adopting them more widely. There are fears of the unkown, fear of the new, fear of anything different than the way we've always done it.

So, in many ways, it makes sense that the theory, the promise of social software, has not caught up to practice in a wider sense of adoption.The good news is, as you are clearly aware, changes have begun. We're watching the first waves of new applications, new ways to share, cooperate, collaborate, roll in. We're experimenting like crazy, exploring ways to harness these new powers.

Reading Shirky's text, I feel good about where we are and where we are going. I look forward to reading and digesting more of his insights.

Be sure to check out the weblog for the book.

Reference: 

Shirky, C. (2008). Here comes everybody: The power of organizing without organizations. New York: The Penguin Press.