Organizational needs: A co-creation and human systems perspective

The concept of need is embedded in economic systems. Since the concept originates in individual psychology, it is not well understood at the organizational level and other higher systemic levels. We address this gap by drawing on research on human needs, on organizations, and on value co-creation in nested human systems. We present a framework that summarizes essentials of well-being, behavior and the change dynamics of needs at individual, organizational, and ecosystemic levels of human systems of value co-creation. We argue that needs are co-created in nested human systems and that organizational needs are bridging meso level needs that mediate between the needs of different actors. It is important to re-think needs in this way as it allows us to search for new ways to increase the value creation and wellbeing of actors. We conclude our paper with academic and managerial implications and suggestions for further research.