Organizational Implosion-A Threat to Long-Term Viability

ABSTRACTThe concept of organizational implosion is not yet an integral part of the literature on management, organizations, or leadership although problematic internal organizational scenarios have been addressed in the literature for many years. When an organization implodes, many of the stakeholders may initially be surprised. However, upon review of the organization in the period leading up to the implosion, it would be evident that there were many demolition charges (seeds of destruction) in place throughout the organization. Perhaps some of these seeds of destruction could exist in the short term. However, in the long term, they would eventually cause the organization to implode, to collapse from within. This article discusses various types of organizational issues that can function as demolition charges and suggests ways to eradicate them or at least minimize their impact.Keywords: Organizational implosion, leadership, 5P's Strategic Leadership Model, deviancy, workplace hostility, social media, time theft.INTRODUCTIONWhen a building implodes, it is demolished from within so that there is an inward collapse. It is destroyed by internally-placed explosive charges that weaken the structural capability of the building. A building implosion occurs in a controlled fashion as a result of planned explosive charges. Stakeholders know when, how, and why the building will implode. When an organization implodes, many of the stakeholders may initially be surprised. However, upon review of the organization in the period leading up to the implosion, it would be evident that there were many demolition charges in place throughout the organization. Perhaps some of these seeds of destruction could exist in the short term. However, in the long term, demolition charges would eventually cause the organization to implode. This article discusses the various types of organizational issues that can function as demolition charges and suggests ways to eradicate them or at least minimize their impact.UNDERSTANDING ORGANIZATIONAL IMPLOSIONThis article identifies organizational implosion as the result of seeds of destruction which can function as demolition charges and cause an organization to implode (i.e., collapse inward). These demolition charges may have been deliberately set, or they may be the result of various inadvertent failures such as systemic problems, malfunction or misalignment of organizational elements, or even lack of timely responses. Bozeman (2013) offers the following definition of organizational implosion: "cases in which organizational members, acting in their official capacities, play a significant role in the havoc wreaked on their organization" (p. 119). He further clarifies organizational implosion as highly disruptive events caused in significant part by organizational members, generally in response to external constraints emanating from the organization's environment and having ongoing extremely negative consequences for the organization and its stakeholders (Bozeman, 2013, p. 125). We take issue with the first definition in that acting in an official capacity is not a requirement for organizational members to play a role in organizational implosion. We also take issue with the latter definition in terms of the requirement of external constraints. While we surmise that implosions can be caused by a variety of organizational elements, we concur that people are the active ingredient that often triggers an implosion. Therefore, we offer leadership, management, work environment, and other potential causes of organizational implosion. Finally, we provide recommendations that will help eliminate the demolition charges when possible and otherwise to minimize their impact.LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT FAILURESOrganizations are systems, holistic entities which exist to serve specific purposes. The strategic direction and execution are established by people who serve as organizational leaders and managers. …