Integrating Simplification Theory for Navigating the VUCA: The Case of Buurtzorg Nederland

Abstract

This chapter presents a field study using the Grounded Theory Methodology for organizational innovation. The field study has been chosen to build a theoretical framework to show how organizations can navigate the VUCA world. VUCA is a concept that captures the perception of a dynamic world we live in today and which has consequences for how organizations build their organizational architecture to serve their customers. The field study shows the determinants of a holistic approach that suits the needs of the customer while putting the customer at the center of the business processes. The chosen field study hails from the community care industry and has received enormous attention as a best practice for organizational innovation as it elicits high customer satisfaction, high employee satisfaction while meeting the financial bottom line of the organization too. VUCA can be perceived from different perspectives and purposes and is therefore a holistic phenomenon for which a holistic approach is preferable. While in the past two decades scholars, studying organizational, ethical and economic turbulence, have stressed holistic approaches by introducing the field of spirituality in management, incorporating different disciplines for understanding human aspirations, ancient wisdom, spiritual teachings and processes of consciousness development, there are rarely empirical evidence based studies in the context of management. As this management field is relatively new, qualitative inductive approaches could be helpful in building the field of studying spirituality and business further. This chapter induces the Integrating Simplification Theory (IST ) and demonstrates three action principles, five core organizational concepts and a holistic leadership competence. These are expressed in 17 properties. Each property navigates an aspect of the VUCA concept.