Permeable Organization Boundaries

“Kaiser embraced a style of business operation "personal" capitalism that preceded the modern bureaucratic organization. He was comfortable operating in organizations with permeable boundaries, allowing him to enlist anyone for any task.”

“Kaiser was not a one-man show in Washington; he had effective agents operating on his behalf, most notably his Washington representative, Charles F. ("Chad") Calhoun. In contrast with some other Washington Page 12 representatives, whose principal role was to arrange meetings for executives with government officials, Calhoun offered Kaiser advice on myriad policy and organizational decisions. While Kaiser seized the headlines, Calhoun assembled contacts, collected information, and reported on the prevailing mood in Washington. More than any other individual in the organization, Calhoun was the driving force behind Kaiser's entry into industries ranging from magnesium to aluminum.”