The virtual organisation

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to suggest a new approach to studies devoted to an understanding of the effects of the pervasive introduction of information technology in organisations. This approach is that of examining the ontological status of computerized organizational representations. It is contended that from such a vantage point one may be in a position to discern the qualities of “virtuality” such as are enhanced by information technological devices and to explore possible roads to follow in efforts to discover new modes of organizational action. The attempt is made depart from the instrumental approach underlying the mainstream of studies concerned with the impact of information technology on organizing. Approaching this topic from the point of view of the ontological predicates of cybernetic space (cyberspace) appears to make it possible, as the paper suggests, to reveal the presence of a specific mode of “playfulness” in a computerized mode of action, one which is seen as radically transforming current views on organizational activities.