Repensando los límites de las organizaciones por medio de la teoría de sistemas organizacionales de Niklas Luhmann

Abstract

This article examines how Luhmann's theory of organized systems can be used to expand our understanding of organizational boundaries. In a systematic way, we examine four central components of Luhmann's work: i) its basic distinction between organization and environment, ii) the openness and closeness of the organizations’ functioning, iii) the role of communications and decisions in identifying the limits of organizations and, lastly, iv) Luhmann’s emphasis on coordination in the construction of organizational boundaries. We discuss the salient points of both divergence and correspondence between Luhmann’s work and contending theoretical approaches to organizations. Potential contributions of Luhmann´s theory to analyses of contemporary organizations, both empirical and theoretical, are discussed.