Heterarchy

Heterarchy (Greek heteros = ἕτερος the Other and ἀρχεῖν archein = rule ) is a concept from the theory of organization. The term was introduced by the neurophysiologist Warren McCulloch and cybernetician in connection with the operation of neural networks as a complement to the concept hierarchy. Currently, this term is stronger again for the Management Theory - used - in particular to clarify the concept of decentralization.

In a heterarchy organizational units are not in an over-and subordination, but more or less equal footing. Heterarchy stands for self- control and self-determination and emphasizes decentralized and bottom-up decisions. Each participant and each organizational unit of a heterarchical organization is thus at the same time manager or controller of that organization.

By analogy, we can heterarchical arrangements be understood as a combination of different forms of organization that offer as opposed to the hierarchical organization of opportunities for organizational self-determination and self- control at all levels of the company. Heterarchical arrangements occur where there are far away from exclusively top-down directed Delegierungsverfahren scope for bottom-up decisions. The establishment does not heterarchical arrangements for the dissolution of hierarchy in the company. Rather, the integration heterarchical arrangements to increase the local adaptability (local responsiveness ) of a multi- locational company whose subsidiaries are embedded in different local contexts used. A uniform global strategy, which is designed to increase efficiency for all company locations and a single world market, would not take into account the local customer needs and faced by subsidiaries subject to legal requirements, is sufficient. Therefore, companies must find the right balance between flexibility to adapt to local specifics and an effective and efficient global coordination of corporate locations.

In the psychological work analysis, there is a procedure called heterarchical task analysis (HAA ). It combines behavioral observation and video-based retrospective survey. This user-and task-specific analyzes between human and computer are possible. The precise logging of task processing with software tools to gain suggestions for designing task-oriented user interface software development projects.

The heterarchical structure of a company or of a network is the counterpart to the hierarchical structure. The coordination and cooperation within a company takes place on an equal footing and the balance of power in a corporate network are balanced.