Horizontal / Flat Management Structures, Workplace Democracies

innerspaceboy · 04-04-2016, 05:22 PM

I'm alpha testing the next version of an open source Chrome add-on that we use frequently at my workplace.

Our CEO was wholly confounded by the process as I described it. As both a company president and a devout Christian, all authority in his world has always come from above. I attempted to outline the principles of a cooperative - one of horizontal management and one whose aim is simply for the betterment of the community rather than for financial compensation.

His brows furrowed deeper as I explained that the Android OS was Linux-based. And whenever I'd finish citing an example of an open source project, he always returned to the question:

"BUT WHO TELLS THEM WHAT TO DO?"

I'd really like to develop a better understanding of these systems, both for myself and so that perhaps one day I can give him a direct answer.

I'm going to be researching the logistics of horizontal / flat management structures, workplace democracies, collectivist and cooperative culture, and decentralized organizations. I'm interested in real-world examples, their operational strategies, their strengths over traditional vertical hierarchical structures, and their embrace of Open Source and Copyleft philosophy to work more effectively.

It's fascinating stuff and flat management is gaining significant traction with modern tech businesses.

Would any of our community be knowledgeable in this regard?