OrgCon is an expert system that incorporates knowledge from a large body of literature on organizational theory and knowledge derived from experts on organizational design. The following two assumptions provide important insights into the OrgCon analysis process:

• The organization is considered to be an information processing entity
• The knowledge base of OrgCon has been developed using contingency theory

Once a user has described the current organizational environment, OrgCon compares that environment to the expert knowledge base and notes the fits and misfits . After its analysis of the different parts of the organization, OrgCon provides recommendations.

It is important to understand that OrgCon is a decision support system, and as such, is very much dependent on the individual to contribute information to the analysis and to participate in the following decision-making process. OrgCon is not a "black box" that magically transforms the information that has been entered into the best organizational design for a given corporation. Decision-makers may choose to accept, modify or reject OrgCon conclusions based on their understanding of the organization's situation.

Read more about:

What is an organization?
The information processing view
The contingency theory
The concept of fit