Application of high performing system theory to corporate venture teams

The purpose of this presentation is to examine the potential application of Peter Vaill´s concept of high performing systems (“The Purposing of High Performing Systems,” Organizational Dynamics, Autumn 1982) to corporate venture team management. Vaill argues that high performing human systems (HPS) contain three major qualities, namely, the ability to focus on the key success levers of an organization, feelings (personal commitment), and the investment of time/ personal continuing presence. In this presentation high performing human systems will be explored with emphasis on their major characteristics. Special attention also will be focused on strengths and limits of HPS. The consequences to performance and the system´s participants are explored when one or more of the three major components (focus, time, or feelings) are absent. The presentation then addresses corporate venture teams and how they function within their larger host organizations. We then posit how Vaill´s concept of high performing systems can be used in managing and assessing corporate venture teams. Implications for sponsors of venture teams are discussed as well as areas for future research.