Debra Meyerson’s scientific contributions

This is the ‘Dallas Organization.’ As Peters and others have noted, temporary groups of this sort are becoming an increasingly common form of organization (Kanter, 1989; Peters, 1992). In many respects, such groups constitute an interesting organizational analog of a ‘one-night stand.’ They have a finite life span, form around a shared and relatively clear goal or purpose, and their success depends on a tight and coordinated coupling of activity. As an organizational form, temporary groups turn upside down traditional notions of organizing. Temporary groups often work on tasks with a high degree of complexity, yet they lack the formal structures that facilitate coordination and control (Thompson, 1967).

Swift trust and temporary groups January 1, 1991. The Grand Kempinski Hotel, Dallas, Texas. 9:00 a.m. “Crew Call.” About 35 people gather. Some are local. Some flew in overnight from here or there. Some drove in. The 35 encompass almost that many different technical disciplines. Many are meeting each other for the first time. Ten and one-half hours from now they will tape a two hour lecture (given by the author), which will become the centerpiece of an hour-long public television show. They'll tape it again the next day. Then they'll disperse, never again to work together in the same configuration. This is the “Dallas Organization.” As Peters and others have noted, temporary groups of this sort are becoming an increasingly common form of organization (Kanter, 1989; Peters, 1992). In many respects, such groups constitute an interesting organizational analog of a “one-night stand.” They have a finite life span, form ...