Humane Organizing in a Post-COVID-19 World: Learning from Buurtzorg’s Trust-Based Decentralization

Abstract

This paper examines the enablers and consequences of less hierarchical organizing in which humane values are in focus as a path toward spirituality in the workplace. It describes Buurtzorg Nederland, a revolutionary case in home health care due to its radically decentralized structure and integrative, autonomous system of organizing. Data were collected by studying the responses of directors and nurses to the COVID-19 pandemic. A formative grounded theory methodology based on theoretical sampling using two additional qualitative data sets is used. The paper demonstrates that the simplification of organizational structures through integrative self-management helps to put the organization’s purpose at the center. Even in times of COVID-19 pandemic, this decentralized organizational architecture is empowering. The core concept of integrating simplification is elaborated using the enablers of serving, attuning, and trusting, wherein the concept of trust emerges as foundational.