Another business structure worth investigating is the Chaordic Commons. This system was invented by Dee Hock, who founded VISA International. You may have heard of their credit card. It’s described in his bio: “In 1968, he developed the concept of a global system for the electronic exchange of value and a unique, new form of organization for that purpose: a decentralized, non-stock, for-profit membership institution to be owned by financial institutions throughout the world. In 1970, the first portion of that organization, VISA U.S.A., was founded, followed by VISA International in 1974. It is now a $1.75 trillion enterprise jointly owned by more than 20,000 financial institutions in more than 220 countries and territories.
Lots of good links on their page.
July 20, 2003