Abstract:

The hierarchy in organizations has not died. Although there are many opposing voices (Lichtarski, 2014). In one of the scenarios it is assumed that a perfect organization will not need an organizational structure at all (Hamel, 2011), in another one – that the organization is fully open and there are no internal boundaries (vertical and horizontal) (Ashkenas, 2002). On the other hand, as Leavitt (2005) argues, all highly flexible structural solutions are inconsistent with human nature, and therefore will not be able to replace traditional hierarchical structures. This paper is in line with the last assumption that the organizational structure of the future will be an adapting hierarchy, and its perfection will be expressed in adapting to nature (homo hierarchicus) and human needs. Therefore, it is and will be still justified to study the issues of hierarchical challenges in organizations.