Keurig Holism Case Study

Interestingly, Keurig is a perfect example of holism. As Jackson (2006) describes, holism not only crosses organizational levels of structure, processes and systems, but also societal and world levels. In the beginning, Keurig incorporated smart processes of linking their products to work together, i.e. the brewer and the coffee pod. On a structural level, they reached across organizational lines to partner with competitors such as Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts to manufacture their coffee into the K-cup pods. Finally, on a political level, they were into green processes and environmental issues from their humble beginnings, supporting and giving back to the coffee farmers and their substandard living conditions in the tropics, as well as recycling
initiatives. In my opinion, Keurig exemplifies holism, and how it can be successfully deployed in an organizational setting as well as broader reaches.