Decentralisation : Why and how to make it work

This book describes a way of leading and organising a company which is radically different from that practised by most companies.

The starting point is that there are certain timeless human demands that should be met by any organisation. This will lead to organisations that are radically decentralised. The fundamental principle of decentralisation was put to the test when Handelsbanken was completely reorganised 33 years ago. The head office was cut down by a third and (among other things) all budgeting and long - term planning was abandoned.

Since then the external circumstances in which banks have to operate have varied very much. Handelsbanken has, however, always followed the same basic principles in its work and by doing so has been extraordinarily successful. In this book you will find a description of the ideas behind the principles and a detailed account of how such a different organisation functions.