Planned and spontaneous orders in the emerging network society

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the emergence of the network society from the perspective of planned and spontaneous order.

Design/methodology/approach

Conceptual analysis based on extensive familiarization with literature.

Findings

The network society does not increase either planned or spontaneous ordering of economic activity, but their interplay.

Research limitations/implications

The paper produces a number of research implications at global, industry, relationship and firms levels of analysis.

Practical implications

Businesses should craft practical strategies and policies on the assumption of constant change, build networking capabilities and be reactive to discontinuities in technologies and business models.

Originality/value

The paper is a unique multi‐level account of the impact of the network society on the type of economic ordering it creates.

Citation

Tikkanen, H. and Parvinen, P.M.T. (2006), "Planned and spontaneous orders in the emerging network society", Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 38-49. https://doi.org/10.1108/08858620610643166