Adhoracia, the term, in any case, is usually used with reference to the lack of a hierarchical order or of regulations that regulate the operation of an entity.
The concept derives from the Latin ad hoc phrase, which can be translated as “for this” and which refers to what is done for a specific purpose. In an adhocracy, there is no authority that makes the decisions and that regulates what is carried out, but that all the members can decide and act in the moment.
Due to these characteristics, adhocracy is opposite to bureaucracy, where all steps are regulated and there is a chain of command. For some organizational specialists, there is a trend towards the development of adhocracies, at least for the creation of temporary projects.
In addition to all the above, we cannot ignore other equally relevant data about adhocracy, such as the following:
-The term was coined by Warren Bennis in the late 1960s. More precisely, it was in 1968 when That term first appeared, he did it in his book “The temporal society”.
-Among the set of characteristics established by a company where the adhocracy works, the following stand out: they have specialized employees in very specific areas based on their knowledge and skills; there is a marked selective decentralization, defined roles are established…
The implementation of an adhocracy requires the integration and permanent adaptation of the members of the organization. Collaboration between people is essential for the objectives to be met, since changes are constant and there is no authority that dictates how to act.
In addition to all the above, the adhocracy has a large number of people for and against as the basis of different organizations and entities. Those who support it do not hesitate to do so based on the fact that it allows you to enjoy the following advantages:
-It ensures that employees are much more motivated, since they carry out tasks based on their abilities.
-It can happen that workers feel part of the organization as such, because there are no hierarchies, and they are aware that everyone’s work is what will create success.
-A commitment to flexibility and the ability to know how to react to changes that may occur.
On the other hand, those who criticize it do so because they consider that it brings with it the following disadvantages:
– The risks and dangers are not properly managed.
-It can generate frustration in employees when faced with a problem or setback there is no structure to solve it.
Let’s suppose that three non-governmental organizations that defend ecology decide to work together to try to stop a mining project. The directors of these NGOs agree to form a special working group with two representatives from each of the entities. The six people, thus, constitute an adhocracy since they all have the same power and decide equally as events unfold.
