And through its multiple communications loops, a network has natural feedback characteristics and cybernetic goal-seeking abilities, purposefulness even at the level of thermostat in a house. When the network model is used to describe associations of people, it is the centers of activity and the communications patterns that predominate. This is not to say that authority structures and policy patterns are not important, only that the network viewpoint provides additional value and another way to grasp the complexities of human beings working together. Flexible networks address core human resource issues. Networks provide a way of designing and managing distributed work, finding and using people and skills where they are and when they are needed, load-balancing and reducing relocation stress.
Successful networks tap into the primal source of motivation, individual values and participation.
The network idea has been around for centuries. Now, it is finding new application as a strategy for seeing the future at work today.