Boundaryless organization

Definition (1):

Boundaryless organization refers to an organizational structure that allows people to interface with others throughout the organization without the need to wait for a hierarchy to regulate that interface across the functional, business, and geographic boundaries.

Definition (2):

A boundaryless organization indicates an organization not having any boundaries; one that is not limited to its office walls. In any traditional organization, there are clear borders on the horizontal as well as vertical planes and hierarchies all around. These traditional organizations have quite mechanistic business structures.  

The boundaryless organization is much different from traditional organizations. This organization does not have any major structures. Here, the chief approach for business is allowing the free flow of information and concepts or ideas to be the motivational force of effectiveness, innovation, efficiency, and growth in the organization. Such an organization is developed for doing one thing quite well, for surviving in a constantly changing world.

This organization’s concept was first developed by Jack Welch, the former chairman of General Electric. His motive was breaking down the boundaries, or barriers, which existed at that time between various parts of the organization. As per his thinking, the most crucial criteria of this kind of organization are adaptability and flexibility.