Silo Syndrome in Work Life: Organizational Blindness and Behavioral Barriers
Chapter from the book: Durmuş, Ş. (ed.) 2026. Psychosocial Syndromes in the Work Life: An Organizational Behavior Perspective.

Abdullah Zübeyr Akman
Necmettin Erbakan University

Synopsis

Silo syndrome constitutes a multidimensional organizational pathology that simultaneously affects the structural, behavioral, and digital dimensions of work life. This chapter systematically examines the conceptual foundations, organizational manifestations, and strategic remedies of silo syndrome within the contemporary context of digital transformation and Society 5.0. Drawing on established organizational behavior literature, the chapter argues that silo formation is not merely a structural dysfunction, but an intricate phenomenon deeply intertwined with organizational culture, leadership orientations, and individual work attitudes.

The analysis demonstrates that silo syndrome operates as a significant antecedent of several adverse workplace outcomes, including knowledge-hiding behavior, workplace ostracism, technostress, and the emerging phenomenon of quiet quitting. Moreover, the chapter establishes a conceptual linkage between silo mentality and organizational blindness, wherein habituated routines and fragmented information systematically impair an organization's capacity to perceive risks, opportunities, and environmental changes. Empirical evidence cited in the chapter indicates that many executives acknowledge the detrimental impact of silos on organizational performance and cross-functional collaboration.

The chapter further contends that dismantling silo structures necessitates the simultaneous pursuit of cultural transformation, transformational and servant leadership development, and the adoption of knowledge-sharing infrastructures aligned with digital collaboration tools. It is concluded that breaking down silo barriers represents an indispensable precondition for organizations aspiring to achieve the human-centered, technology-integrated organizational models envisioned by the Industry 5.0 and Society 5.0 paradigms. Accordingly, this chapter contributes to both academic discourse and managerial practice by offering an integrative framework for understanding and addressing silo syndrome in organizational life.

How to cite this book

Akman, A. Z. (2026). Silo Syndrome in Work Life: Organizational Blindness and Behavioral Barriers. In: Durmuş, Ş. (ed.), Psychosocial Syndromes in the Work Life: An Organizational Behavior Perspective. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1350.c5446

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Published

June 30, 2026

DOI