Disciplines and Intersections: The Logic of Interdisciplinary Organizational Structure

Abstract

Interdisciplinary integration has become an important pathway for original innovation, with the institutionalized promotion of interdisciplinary construction emerging as a shared trend. The dual attributes of interdisciplinary studies, specifically disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, give rise to the organizational logics of disciplines and intersections within the interdisciplinary organizational structure. The tension and balance between these logics necessitate that the organizational structure reconcile the relationships among: (1) interest-driven and task-driven approaches, (2) institutionalization and specialization, (3) the quantity and diversity of involved disciplines, (4) disciplinary independence and interdisciplinary integration, and (5) disciplinary development and talent cultivation. To achieve disciplinary outcomes while preserving interdisciplinarity, it is necessary for the interdisciplinary organizational structure to focus on integrative activities and processes. By leveraging the openness and generative nature of integration through the reorganization of disciplinary resource modules within the organizational structure, the framework maintains organic and evolutionary qualities to promote synergy between disciplines their intersections. Therefore, it can extend the lifecycle of interdisciplinary organizations and enhance the quality of interdisciplinary development.

Keywords

interdisciplinary studies / organizational structure / discipline / intersection / interdisciplinarity

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Higher Education Press