In initiation this study the researchers wished to make a contribution to the theory of complex organizations based on empirical research. To do this, the study was designed to examine a fairly wide-ranging set of variables on a comparative basis in a set of complex organizations. It was necessary therefore to develop a number of new and relatively crude measures which were used together with established ones. The research strategy was to attempt to relate such diverse variables as environmental characteristics and modes of conflict resolution in a single study, even at the expense of methodological nicety. This strategy made it possible to draw on a wide variety of earlier works to provide theoretical leads that could be tested further. Almost all previous findings, particularly in regard to achieving intergroup integration were given further support.