suborganization

noun

sub·​or·​ga·​ni·​za·​tion ˌsəb-ˌȯr-gə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌȯrg-nə-

variants or sub-organization

plural suborganizations or sub-organizations

: an organization that is controlled by and subordinate to another organization

It is seldom possible to reform a suborganization for the benefit of the parent organization without encountering resistance.

—Theodore Caplow

Every organization—except the very smallest—is a cluster of suborganizations of varying sizes, which are organizations in their own right …

—Theodore Caplow

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above