Decentralization of Decision Authority in Complex Task Structures DRUID

Magdalena Dobrajska, Stephan Billinger, Samina Karim

    Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    We investigate tradeoffs associated with delegating authority over multiple interrelated decisions in a complex task structure. The empirical setting is a business process of a global Fortune 50 firm. The firm decentralized its organization and redefined decision authority across organizational hierarchies between 2008 and 2011. We employ regression analysis of micro-level data on the organization design of 761 decision tasks and we investigate the allocation of decision authority at the level of all observable individual decision tasks. Our findings show how the specialization of decision-relevant knowledge, the matching of required knowledge and manager?s expertise, and information processing intensity affect (a) the occurrence of delegation, and (b), if delegation occurs, how far down the organizational hierarchy authority is delegated. We discuss how these findings complement existing theories on delegation by providing insights into how multiple interrelated decisions are delegated within a complex task structure.
    Original languageEnglish
    Publication dateJun 2013
    Number of pages39
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013
    EventThe 35th DRUID Celebration Conference 2013: Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship: Competitiveness and Dynamics of Organizations, Technologies, Systems and Geography - ESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, Spain
    Duration: 17 Jun 201319 Jun 2013
    Conference number: 35
    http://druid8.sit.aau.dk/registrant/index/login/cid/13

    Conference

    ConferenceThe 35th DRUID Celebration Conference 2013: Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
    Number35
    LocationESADE Business School, Ramon Llull University
    Country/TerritorySpain
    CityBarcelona
    Period17/06/201319/06/2013
    OtherThe DRUID Society Conference 2013
    Internet address

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