Déjà vu all over again: what the past can teach us about the future

William Mateer, Paul Tolchinsky () and Peter Turgoose

Journal of Organization Design, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 15-22

Abstract: Abstract The paper, titled "Déjà vu All Over Again: What the Past Can Teach Us About the Future" by William Mateer, Paul Tolchinsky, PhD, and Peter Turgoose, explores the contemporary challenges faced by today’s organizations as they respond to the increasing turbulence in the world. The authors advocate for a response capability that is rooted in the foundational principles that make each organization successful yet unique, applying the lessons that the past can teach us about the future. The paper draws inspiration from three seminal books published in the late 1970s and early 1980s, reflecting on the enduring relevance of their insights in the present. The authors focus on Classics in Organization Behavior, Classics in Organization Theory, and Classics of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The central narrative centers around the case study of GE Aviation (formerly GE Aircraft Engines) facility in Bromont, Quebec, Canada, a maverick organization which has thrived for over 40 years as a self-organizing workplace. The socio-technical perspective applied at Bromont originated from the work at the Tavistock Institute in the 1950s, challenging the prevailing technological imperative in favor of a more holistic approach that considers people as integral to the system, rather than expendable spare parts. The paper details Bromont's evolution, success factors, and challenges, emphasizing the importance of continuous adaptation, employee involvement, and a flat organizational structure. The authors derive key lessons from Bromont, including the significance of leadership support, rigorous hiring processes, the benefits of smaller organizational sizes, the role of managers as enablers, and the need for a unique, contextualized approach rather than blindly copying models. The paper concludes by advocating for the ongoing optimization of socio-technical systems, aligning growth and learning within a flat organizational structure, and maintaining a balance between new business strategies and foundational principles.

Keywords: Socio-technical systems; Tavistock; Bromont; Organization design; Self-organizing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s41469-024-00174-0

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