Consensus decisions in self-organizing systems

Abstract: Self-organization is a management concept that has been implemented in different forms since the XIXth century. However, it seems that this particular model of management rediscovers increasing popularity. Indeed, various companies across the globe have transformed their systems to weaken the hierarchy and empower their workers. I explore the subject of consensus decision process in decentralized systems, and more precisely the context in which such a decision process takes place. To analyze the context of decision making-process in self-organizing teams, I suggest a model composed of three theories: the polycentric governance of Ostrom, the specific capital of Bourdieu, and the communicative action of Habermas. These three theories are gathered in a model composed of three levels of analysis. The integrative level uses the polycentric governance theory to analyze the overarching structure of rules that backbones a system. The distributive level studies the distribution of power and influence among the workers of the system. And the interactive level studies the characteristics of the discussion which ends on consensus with the help of the communicative action theory. Then, the model is composed of three levels that are studied through the analysis of 9 patterns highlighted in the literature review. The model is tested on a case study. I carry out interviews to analyze the decision-making context of the company Menlo Innovation, which has implemented a non-hierarchical management model. The analysis of the company shows that the model is useful to study context of decision-making. However, another level of analysis empirically came up. Patterns that did not fall in any of the existing levels of analysis have been empirically highlighted, and form together a new level of analysis: the cultural policy. Given the appearance of this new level, the model has been adapted to form a new framework composed of 4 areas interconnected that are studied through the analysis of 12 patterns. The thesis contributes to the existing knowledge in several ways. First, it provides a promising model of analysis for context of consensus decision making in selforganizing systems. Second, it brings a new understanding of the centrality of the specific capital distribution in nonhierarchical organizations. Finally, it highlights a new dimension of analysis for self-organization.