There has been a perceptible trend in the last twenty years for firms to experiment with new models of organisation and governance, in effect eschewing Fordism in favour of models inspired by the "Silicon Valley model" and other flexible business model systems, demonstrating there is no longer one kind of business model that can be equated with success and efficiency across all sectors and in all countries.
1. What do you think was meant by this statement?
2. When answering this question make sure you adequately define the terms "business model" and "Fordism," and explain why it has been argued successful Silicon Valley business models have forever changed how we all think about how businesses should be designed and operated.
3. In addition, identify three elements of a successful Silicon Valley business model (or other such flexible business model) and provide one good examples of an organisation that you believe possesses all three of those elements.
4. Explain how these elements contribute to your example organisation's success. Discuss the significance of your finding in terms of the future of business models.