A framework for creativity-oriented autonomy based on online social networks

Abstract

The paper deals with the problem of enabling greater autonomy in knowledge intensive organizations leading to innovation. Adoption of online social networks in organizations is a suggested solution. We draw lessons on autonomy and its effects from a real-world illustration. We examine the consequences of online social network adoption within businesses and societies. These may be viewed as self organizing systems. The autonomy-orientation of employees and members of a society is the underlying basis for this study. Stable states (attractors) in self organized systems are known to enslave or constrain the constituents of a system. The reduced enslavement in online social networks is a prominent feature of our proposed new attractor regime to which organizations in any society will shift. We discuss the enabling of this shift in terms of autonomy and self organization.