Challenging Gaia: The Ecology of Organizational Restructuring in a Federal Agency

Date

2020-02

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to reinvigorate the theory of organizational ecology and use the metaphorical relationship between themes in ecology as a way to model structures or reorganizations in the federal government, challenging traditional bureaucratic tactics for decisions leading to a reorganization effort. In addition, updated models of the politics–administrative dichotomy were compared to its original construct in order to examine fitness for a modern federal environment. Theoretical Framework. The theoretical framework utilized general systems theory, specifically organizational ecology, niche, environment, and Gaia theory. Methodology. A qualitative phenomenological case study of a federal organization was performed by conducting elite interviews in order to explore and assimilate ecological themes to the lived experiences of restructuring or reorganizations by 3 senior-level executives in a federal agency. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with each participant in a semistructured style using 7 interview questions. Findings/Conclusions. The participants’ individual approaches to decisions, rationales, perceptions of outcomes, awareness of impacts, use of theories, lessons, and metaphorical assimilations were examined for collective expressions. Their responses revealed 4 themes: ecosystem, bureaucratic environment, cybernetics, and niche. A multidisciplinary metaphorical abstraction was developed using these concepts, and an ecological model for abstract thinking about organizational structures is presented for consideration. The traditional politics–administrative dichotomy was challenged and a new model proposed.

Description

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Public Administration

Keywords

Public Administration, Government

Citation

DOI