Neuroscience
Ganglia
Clusters of nerve cell bodies located outside the central nervous system. Ganglia serve as relay points and local processing centers in the peripheral nervous system.
Biological Context
Invertebrates often have distributed ganglia rather than centralized brains. Each ganglion can process information and coordinate local responses. The enteric nervous system (gut) contains ganglia that function semi-independently, earning it the name 'second brain.'
Business Application
Organizational ganglia: regional offices, local teams, or specialized units with significant autonomy. They process local information and respond quickly without requiring central approval. Well-designed ganglia balance local responsiveness with organizational coherence.