Preorganisaation

Preorganisaation, commonly translated as preorganization, is a concept in organizational theory describing the set of activities and structures that exist before a formal organization is established. It encompasses informal networks, the search for a mission, stakeholder mapping, resource mobilization, and the development of initial norms and governance arrangements.

In practice, preorganisaation appears in entrepreneurship, project or program development, voluntary movements, and rapid-response operations, where a group gathers to explore objectives and viability before creating a legal entity or formal charter.

Key characteristics include the absence of formal legal status, informal leadership and decision-making, and fluid boundaries between participants. Benefits are speed, flexibility, and opportunities for learning through experimentation. Challenges include limited accountability, fragmentation of resources, potential misalignment among participants, and difficulties in securing long-term funding or legitimacy.

Transition to formalization occurs when the group adopts a legal form, establishes governance structures (such as a board or bylaws), defines a clear mission, and secures sustainable funding. The end of preorganization is not fixed; it depends on context, such as project milestones, stakeholder commitments, or regulatory requirements.

See also: startup phase, project initiation, voluntary organization, organizational development.