From the credibility crisis of formal organizations to the re-emergence of the group: An ecosystemic approach

Abstract

The concept of ecosystem is used here as a paradigm for analyzing the current problems of credibility suffered by large bureaucratic, political or managerial organizations. The process of social globalization and the crisis of the postmodern era form the context of these problems. Collective uncertainty and pessimism at this time have increased, especially since the collapse of the balance of power between East and West at the end of the Cold War and in the present welfare state crisis. In these circumstances, an existential environment emerges in which social bonds are also in crisis. In response to the individual absorption brought about by formal organizations, there is now a trend towards the re-emergence of fundamentalisms or social movements of a strong community or group nature.