Coordination in temporary organizations: Formal and informal mechanisms at the 2016 Olympics
International Journal of Operations & Production Management
ISSN: 0144-3577
Article publication date: 8 May 2018
Issue publication date: 21 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore intra-firm coordination in temporary organizations (TOs). Specifically, it identifies and explains how operational coordination evolves over time in a particular TO: the 2016 Olympic Games Organizing Committee.
Design/methodology/approach
This is an immersive case study based on qualitative analysis and longitudinal fieldwork, which allowed the observation of operational coordination in real time. The main sources of data are participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and internal documents of the TO.
Findings
The findings suggest that operational coordination in TOs dealing with multiple and decentralized operations takes place through the combination of both formal and informal coordination mechanisms. Further analysis indicates a contingency logic in using these mechanisms, shaped by the presence of specific coordination challenges in different phases of work. Three main aspects influencing coordination are explored. First, it is suggested that TOs are inherently “hybrid.” That is, they comprise enduring as well as temporary and centralized as well as decentralized elements. These elements change over time. Second, a formal transition phase is explored: “venueization” – a phase between planning and operation in which centralized structural elements and processes are translated to operational units. Third, since TOs present emergence and dynamism, and related challenges across various phases of work, coordination is arguably contingent on the phase of the project.
Research limitations/implications
Although the findings are limited to a particular empirical context, this paper offers theoretically new insights concerning the hybrid nature of processes in TOs, the contingent use of complementary coordination mechanisms, and the importance of the venueization phase, and provides a basis for future research into operational coordination in TOs.
Practical implications
The findings can help practitioners understand and identify the challenges embedded in temporary contexts and develop coordination strategies accordingly.
Originality/value
This study explains how operational coordination takes place in TOs enabled by formal and informal mechanisms, which are contingently combined over time through particular coordination strategies.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge funding support from CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil). Aline Fernandes is thankful for the opportunity she was given to volunteer at the Transport Department of the 2016 Olympic Games Organizing Committee. The authors are grateful to all the people who kindly agreed to participate in the research. Earlier versions of aspects of this work were presented at EurOMA doctoral seminars and conference sessions, and at an international seminar on networks and coordination at CRET-LOG, Université Aix-Marseille. The authors are grateful for the opportunity to present the work and for helpful advice received. The authors would like especially to thank the reviewers and editors for their time in reviewing the paper. Their insightful comments have helped the authors to improve it substantially.
Citation
Fernandes, A., Spring, M. and Tarafdar, M. (2018), "Coordination in temporary organizations: Formal and informal mechanisms at the 2016 Olympics", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 38 No. 6, pp. 1340-1367. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-02-2017-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited