The Complexity of Trust-Control Relationships in Creative Organizations: Insights From a Qualitative Analysis of a Conductorless Orchestra

Using a qualitative approach, I study two processes of intra-organizational cooperation and coordination – control and trust – in creative organizations. Specifically, I analyze the complex nature of trust-control relationships in Orpheus orchestra, the world's largest contemporary conductorless orchestra. I discuss how it rehearses and performs without a baton holder and benefits from the creativity of all musicians. This study supports the duality perspective of trust-control relationships. While competence trust and goodwill trust enable musicians to participate in organizational decision-making and be creative, it is behavioral, input, output and social control strategies that facilitate the development of trust and help ensure the orchestra's long-term success. Trust-control duality allows Orpheus to achieve "optimal distinctiveness," which aligns creativity and artistic freedoms with the goals of economic stability.