I'm often asked what I recommend as sources of info on organisation design. I've compiled the list below for those interested in exploring some of the theories of organisation design, getting in touch with practitioners, and staying up to date on trends, new business models, technologies, and so on that have an impact on organisations. It represents some of the stuff that I've found or am finding useful. It's not an exhaustive list nor do I endorse any of the products, services, or content represented on the websites listed. NOTE: A variant of this list will appear in the second edition of my book Economist Guide to Organisation Design coming out early next year
Books
Block, P., Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, 3rd edn, Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer, 2011.
An introduction to becoming a consultant, taking the reader through the key principles in a lively, straightforward, practical way.
Brynjolfsson, E. , MacAfee, A.The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies W. W. Norton and Co Inc. 2014
Reports on the effects new digital, robotic and other technologies that enable completely new ways of working and interacting will have on organisations and society.
Drucker, P.F., The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done, HarperCollins, 2002 edition.
A book that is as vivid in its recommendations today as when it was first published in 1967. Some things stay the same, such as not enough time, difficulty in making decisions and making effective contributions.
Hatch, M-J, and Cunliffe, A. Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic and Postmodern Perspectives Oxford University Press, 2013
Easy to understand discussion and analysis of theories of organisation with practical examples and clear explanations.
Kahneman, D. Thinking Fast and Slow. Penguin Books, 2011.
A fascinating read on the way we consciously and unconsciously think. And the effect of this on the way we make choices, judgments, and decisions.
Morgan, G., Images of Organization, 2nd edn, Sage Publications, 2006.
A more academic book, this is a fascinating survey of looking at organisations through different lenses: as psychic prisons, as political systems and as machines, among others.
Pentland, A. Social Physics: How Good Ideas Spread. Penguin Books, 2014.
An analysis of how ideas spread, using techniques from big data interpretation and organisational mapping technologies.
Peterson, C. A Primer in Positive Psychology. Oxford University Press, 2006.
Describes the growing field of positive psychology in an engaging and practical way
Scott, W.R., Organizations: Rational, Natural, and Open Systems, 5th edn, Prentice Hall, 2003.
An overview of key aspects of organisational theory. This is more a textbook than a "how to" book, giving insights into how and why organisations have evolved in the way they have.
Senge, P.M. et al., The Dance of Change: The Challenges to Sustaining Momentum in Learning Organizations, Doubleday/Currency, 1999.
A readable and sensible look at methods of helping organisations develop by providing the conditions for individuals to develop.
Stacey, R. Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamics: The Challenge of Complexity , 6th Edn., Financial Times/Prentice Hall, 2010
Explores organisations and strategies as designed through discussions and stories rather than rational approaches.
Waber, B. People Analytics: How Social Sensing Technology Will Transform Business and What It Tells Us about the Future of Work FT Press, 2013
How new techniques in analytics and sensing can give insights into the way work is done and how people interact to do the work.
Staying in touch: newsletters, blogs, journals and video
Fast Company
Provides print and digital channel news and information on how companies create and recreate themselves, how they innovate and compete, and how they introduce new business practices.
Website: http://www.fastcompany.com
Techcrunch
TechCrunch leads in information on technologies – new products, start-up companies, breaking tech news, and insider info. It offers many tech related info-services through multi-channels.
Website: http://techcrunch.com/
Harvard Business Review
A monthly and on-line general management journal with articles, related blogs, podcasts, video, webinars and newsletters.
Website: http://hbr.org/magazine
Journal of Organisation Design
A somewhat theoretical/academic peer reviewed publication but with some practically relevant articles on all aspects of organization design
Website: http://www.jorgdesign.net/
McKinsey Quarterly
A quarterly print and digital journal of business management strategy articles, surveys and interviews, covering global business strategy, management and economics with additional newsletters, video, surveys, and commentaries.
Website: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/home.aspx
MIT Technology Review
Provides information on the way technologies are shaping the world. Offers features, news analysis, business reports, photo essays, reviews, and interactive digital experiences
Website: http://www.technologyreview.com
Quartz
A digital international news guide on all things related to the global economy and global business.
Website: http://qz.com/
Science Daily
Breaking science research news and articles on technology, climate, neuroscience, health, and other topics many of which are related to organisation design and work performance. Channels include daily newsletter, articles and video.
Website: http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Strategy + Business
A periodical for leaders and managers on topics related to strategy, operations, human resources and things relevant to keeping an enterprise going.
Website: http://www.strategy-business.com/current_issue
Wired
A monthly print and digital journal focusing on the effects of computing and technology on business culture, the economy and politics with podcasts, games, opinion and video.
Website: http://www.wired.com
Organisations and communities
Drucker Institute
Provides information, resources, ideas, and connections on methods of improving organisations in line with Peter Drucker's theories.
Website: http://www.druckerinstitute.com/
European Organisation Design Forum
A community of organisation design practitioners in various chapters throughout Europe. Holds an annual conference.
Website: http://eodf.eu/
Institute for the Future
IFTF is an independent, non-profit research organization that researches and supports organizations in reflection and practice on the futures they want.
Website: http://www.iftf.org/home/
Organization Design Forum
An international professional association for those interested in organisation design, dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of the organisation design through expertise, education and resources.
Website: http://www.organizationdesignforum.org
Plexus Institute
A non-profit organisation providing an introduction to complexity science with webinars, regular conversations, and insights on applying complexity theory.
Website: http://www.plexusinstitute.org
Royal Society of Arts
Its purpose is to develop and promote new ways of thinking about human fulfilment and social progress to bring '21st century enlightenment'. Take a look at their Animates.
Website: http://www.thersa.org
Sante Fe Institute
An organisation devoted to creating a new kind of scientific research community, emphasising multidisciplinary collaboration in pursuit of understanding the common themes that arise in natural, artificial and social systems.
Website: http://www.santafe.edu
Tavistock Institute of Human Relations
Offers research, consultancy, evaluation and professional development work to support change and learning, as well as publications in the fields of inter-organisational relations, the emergence of the knowledge society and problems of organisation, particularly in the delivery of public policy.
Website: http://www.tavinstitute.org/index.php
What are your organisation design info recommendations? Let me know.
Naomi Stanford 