Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/217460 
Year of Publication: 
2018
Citation: 
[Journal:] Journal of Organization Design [ISSN:] 2245-408X [Volume:] 7 [Issue:] 14 [Publisher:] Springer [Place:] Cham [Year:] 2018 [Pages:] 1-16
Publisher: 
Springer, Cham
Abstract: 
Bitcoin represents the first real-world implementation of a "decentralized autonomous organization" (DAO) and offers a new paradigm for organization design. Imagine working for a global business organization whose routine tasks are powered by a software protocol instead of being governed by managers and employees. Task assignments and rewards are randomized by the algorithm. Information is not channeled through a hierarchy but recorded transparently and securely on an immutable public ledger called "blockchain." Further, the organization decides on design and strategy changes through a democratic voting process involving a previously unseen class of stakeholders called "miners." Agreements need to be reached at the organizational level for any proposed protocol changes to be approved and activated. How do DAOs solve the universal problem of organizing with such novel solutions? What are the implications? We use Bitcoin as an example to shed light on how a DAO works in the cryptocurrency industry, where it provides a peer-to-peer, decentralized, and disintermediated payment system that can compete against traditional financial institutions. We also invited commentaries from renowned organization scholars to share their views on this intriguing phenomenon.
Subjects: 
Decentralized autonomous organization
Blockchain
Consensus mechanisms
New forms of organizing
Organizational forms
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
Creative Commons License: 
cc-by Logo
Document Type: 
Article

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