Organizational Permeability in U.S. Social Service Agencies

Abstract

The concept of organizational permeability is operationalized and examined in relation to environmental contingency and organizational design characteristics. This study indicates that environmental contingency and boundary permeability have differential and selective impact on characteristics of organizational design. The results suggest that there is a dynamic relationship between organizational design and interorganizational linkages as two alternative forms of adaption to environmental contingencies needing further research and theoretical elaboration.