Business Administration and Management SPACE IN ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT. INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE IN MODELLING TOWARDS NEW MANAGERIAL ROLES Piotr Pachura Introduction SOM), to theoretical experiments at the micro- The concept of space is frequently used as level (New Managerial Roles). The experiment a sort of metaphor, with the aim of referring to was a confrontation between the conceptual a colloquial, intuitive interpretation of space as model and the managerial roles in modern a kind of location, area, field or scene where organisations. events take place. Recognisable research problems stem from the conviction that there 1. Space in a Transdisciplinary is a lack of complex conceptualisation of space Perspective as a subject in interdisciplinary perspectives 1.1 Philosophy of Space for organisation and management sciences. Probably the first scientific, philosophical At the same time, a greater interest in issues of argument concerning the subject of space space has arisen in recent years, which have was the discussion over vacuum initiated by been associated with the increasing importance the ancient schools of natural philosophers of globalisation, the network economy, (Parmenides 540-470 BC). The Atomists and knowledge in organisations (Taylor & (Democritus 460-370 BC, Epicurus 341-271 Spicer, 2007). Thus, understanding complex BC) recognised space as a container where interdisciplinary research in this area is the main all physical phenomena take place. Idealistic motivation of this paper. On an epistemological level, the aim of the paper is to conceptualise philosophy, mostly represented by Plato (427- space in its different dimensions in relation to 347 BC), interpreted space (Greek khôra, chora) the classical achievements of organisation as a sphere that is a combination or transition and management sciences. Another aim is to between a material and a metaphysical sphere derive a metaphorical understanding of space; (Beichler, 1981). The Platonic concept of chora therefore, the starting point and subsequent is considered a predecessor of the concept context of this research is placing the research of space and was closely associated with problem in the scientific tradition. In this paper, the Platonic philosophy system based on the I try to make a logical transition from space duality of an imperfect world of matter and ontology, through the conceptualisation of a perfect world of ideas. On the other hand, its dimensions, to its theoretical implications. Aristotle (384-322 BC) recognised that the As Massey, one of the authorities in “space world has borders, i.e. the space in the world science” observes, “we use that word ‘space’ is finite (Hussey, 1983). At the same time, in popular discourse or academia without being Aristotle believed that nature abhors a vacuum. fully conscious of what we mean by it” (2005, Reflection on space was partially discarded in p. 17). the period of Scholastic philosophy. A revival of Methodologically, this paper aims to develop interest in space can be observed in the period the idea of space and its role in organisations of modern philosophy and development of in the context of emergence a new managerial empirical sciences. For example, R. Descartes, roles. The deductive method was applied, (1569-1650) assumed that an empty space leading from wide interdisciplinary studies (vacuum) could not exist due to the assumption through construction of a conceptual model that the extension of matter (Latin res as the meta-level (Space Organisation Model, extensa) is one of its basic characteristics. 36 2019, XXII, 3 DOI: 10.15240/tul/001/2019-3-003 EM_3_2019.indd 36 05.09.2019 9:50:35 Business Administration and Management These extensions all have spatial properties, was provided by H. Poincaré (1854-1912), who therefore the characteristics of matter should recognised the human perception of space to be considered spatially (Descartes, 2008). In be the result of evolution, i.e. he assumes that contrast, I. Newton (1642-1727) formulated an our understanding of space is derived from the assumption that absolute space is permanent, conditions of adapting to the world in which we objective, and independent of relationships live. In contrast to Kant, Poncaré believed that (Fraassen van, 1985, p. 124). The consequence geometry is not given to human cognition a priori of the absolute space concept is that its (Heinzmann & Stump, 2016). He believed existence must be acknowledged, regardless that space is a relational or relative concept. of matter and time (Newton, 1999). Meanwhile, Consequently, he is attributed with a very W. Leibnitz (1646-1716) claimed that space significant contribution to the development of the in itself is not an absolute reality; it is merely theory of relativity that was presented decades a configuration of matter. He presented a broad later in its final form. However, the explanation relativistic approach, also assuming that space offered by non-Euclidean geometries did not is neither substance nor phenomenon. However, answer all questions regarding the observed according to I. Kant (1724-1804), space is physical world and the geometric forms found a form of pure intuition, (ger. Anschauung) in nature. More contemporary research in – an object of direct perception that does not geometry and the dynamics of disordered result from experience. According to Kantian dynamic systems led to the development of philosophy, space is a form of a priori which is the principles of fractal geometry. The concept given to the human mind without the necessity of fractals results from the observation that of external experience (Kant, 1992). Space is the reality that surrounds us has geometric a representation of a priori knowledge, just as properties of similarity, i.e. the occurrence of (Euclidean) geometry is able to be recognised repetitive geometrical structures (Mandelbrot, through the imagination embedded in the 1982). Such structures, while seemingly human mind (Caygill, 1995). Experiencing the irregular, show geometric similarities at different “spatiality” of the world has been a key human levels of complexity. The development of non- experience throughout the development of Euclidean geometries resulted in an increase in Civilisation (Schemmel, 2016). the potential of space research. However, the space we experience is probably a Euclidean 1.2 Geometry of Space space; we experience it as a continuous and In the context of the above considerations on three-dimensional space. space, one should refer to the achievements of geometry as a specific language of describing 1.3 Classic Approach to Space in space. Euclid (365-300 BC) created a concept of Organisations and Management space based on a group of undefinable primitive Classically, for management science, space terms and the resulting axioms (Fraassen van, exists in the context of intra-organisational and 1985, p. 132). Euclid’s concept of space as external space (usually called the environment a geometric category precluded interest in space of the organisation). This is a kind of absolutist as a non-mathematical category for many years. understanding of space used for interpreting, For over two thousand years, when people for example, the physical arrangement of thought of space, they understood it in terms individual elements of a production system of Euclid’s “language” of geometry. Classical or a hierarchical system associated with the geometry was challenged by N. Lobachevsky workplace, taking into account the managerial (1792-1856), who created a consistent system and operative functions. In the early works of of geometry based on modified Euclidean F. Taylor (1967), space was interpreted in terms axioms (Greenberg, 1994). Independently of of physical location. At the same time, the Lobachevsky, a similar approach was applied importance of space is found in the categories by J. Bolyai (1802-1860), thus explaining why of physical productivity or space associated the first non-Euclidean geometry system is with the division of labour and organisation called Bolyai-Lobachevskian geometry, or of production. H. Ford’s production line in hyperbolic geometry (Cannon et al., 1997). some way perpetuated the mostly physical A significant contribution to the interpretation locational context of space over the next few of space through hyperbolic geometry models decades. Such an approach to space resulted 3, XXII, 2019 37 EM_3_2019.indd 37 05.09.2019 9:50:35 Business Administration and Management in relatively clear boundaries between space developments in this area that introduce space inside the organisation and the boundaries into the scientific discussion, in the theory of between the organisation and its environment. organisation and management, the work of At the same, space was the exemplification Clegg and Kornberger (2013), Lekanne Deprez of hierarchism in organisations: a specified and Tissen (2008), Lorenzen (2007), Ropo, system and plan of space in the workplace De Paoli and Solovaara (2015) and others (production halls, offices) corresponded to deserves attention. It seems that an important the position of individual members in the point of reference for the scientific discussion hierarchy of the organisation (Derksen, 2014). of space in the organisation sciences is the We can also observe that the administrative influential concept of the “production of space” school represented by M. Weber (Weber, by H. Lefèbvre. Most references to this concept 1947) creates, in a way, a new universalistic are probably