Comments on Yammarino's “Levels of analysis and the US Constitution”: Organization theory beyond “the firm”

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to respond to Yammarino's “Levels of analysis and the US Constitution”.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a conceptual assessment of the approach of Yammarino, suggesting an extension beyond “the” organization to groups of interacting organizations – where much contemporary innovation, and indeed economic activity takes place.

Findings

The paper advocates extending organization theory explicitly to embrace multi‐firm and multi‐organizational collaborations. “The firm” as an isolated entity is increasingly less meaningful without its constellation of affiliates, partners and networks.

Practical implications

Organization theorists, and managers, would do well to extend their horizons to include networks and partners, to understand how “organizations” work beyond their nominal boundaries.

Originality/value

The paper highlights an extension of organization theory to reflect contemporary inter‐organizational cooperation.

Citation

Jelinek, M. (2008), "Comments on Yammarino's “Levels of analysis and the US Constitution”: Organization theory beyond “the firm”", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 194-197. https://doi.org/10.1108/19348830810937970