Organization Theory: Challenges & Perspectives

Description

“A critical introduction to Organisation Theory that you can understand, apply and enjoy!”   This book addresses fundamental questions such as what is organisation theory and why does it matter. It explores the historical development of organization theory from its origins right up to present-day debates. It asks what challenges it presents to contemporary organisations, and explores the solutions it can provide.   Organization Theory brings a fresh approach to long-standing questions and is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students for whom the study of organizational theory or analysis is an integral part of their degree programme. Cover Cover2 Half title page Title page Brief contents Contents List of figures List of tables Preface Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Organization theory: challenges and perspectives Introduction Organization theory as discipline: placing ‘Organization theory: Challenges and perspectives’ in context Introducing the structure of ‘Organization theory: Challenges and perspectives’ Chapter 2: Organization theory: what is it, and why does it matter? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter What is organization theory? What do we mean by ‘theory’? What are organizations? The relationship between organization theory and human activities The relationship between organization theory and management practice Social engineering and organization theory Philosophical disputes and debates: explaining and understanding the diverse nature of organization theory Ontology and ontological positions How we know what exists – our epistemological position The truth is out there – or is it? Mapping some aspects of organization theory’s diversity Positivist protagonists: the truth is out there, and we can objectively know it Philosophical disputes around the role of the subjective in science Subjectivist protagonists: the truth is in members’ understandings and we can subjectively know it How ontological and epistemological assumptions are enacted: organization culture as a key theme in organization theory What this means for managers Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 3: Modernist organization theory: back to the future? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter Modernist organization theory in context What is modernist organization theory? The historical roots of modernist organization theory Modernist organization theory: an overview General systems theory The basic systems of the organization: what every human system must have to survive The organization as clockwork How modernist organization theory underpins conventional understandings of the relationship between organizations and society Modernist themes in organizational design Conclusions: does modernist organization theory still provide challenges for new visions of the organization? Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 4: Neo-modernist organization theory: putting people first? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter Neo-modernist organization theory focuses attention on the human issues in organization ‘There is nothing as practical as a good theory’ How Roethlisberger developed a ‘practical’ organization theory Column 1: The core contributing social sciences Column 2: The techniques for analysis Column 3: The human relations perspective Column 4: Contributions to business and management Four combinations of science, scientific technique and the human relations approach reach different parts of the organization The human relations school as an example of neo-modernist organization theory The hawthorne Studies as a classic example of applied organizational research within the human relations tradition How neo-modernist organization theory challenges understandings of the relationship between organizations and society Continuity in neo-modernist thinking How neo-modernist organization theory challenges understandings of organization culture How neo-modernist organization theory develops challenges in the design of organizations Industrial democracy – the neo-modernist approach Conclusions: does neo-modernist organization theory exercise challenges for new visions of the organization? Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 5: Neo-modernist organization theory: surfing the new wave? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter The origins of new-wave organization theories Control in organizations Three types of formal control The new wave in action: corporate culture and the management of cultural change A theoretical explanation of a possible shift in control: a new historical configuration? The theoretical origins of new-wave theory Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 6: From classical beginnings to new-wave leadership and management: the evolution of management theory Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter Conceptualizing management The origins and early development of management: the classical period Managerialism with a human face? The human relations school and management Leadership in modernism and the ‘new wave’ New-wave theory and the reconfiguration of middle management Managerialism and new-wave management come together in the management and leadership of the public sector Why leaders lead and managers manage The implications of institutional theory for understanding management and organization Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 7: Post-modernist organization theory: new organizational forms for a new millennium? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter Post-modern organization theory in context What is post-modernist organization theory? Post-modern organization theory – an overview Post-industrialism and the information society Neo-Fordism, flexible specialization and post-Fordism The implications of post-modernism for management and leadership Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 8: Postmodernism as philosophy: the ultimate challenge to organization theory? Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter What is postmodernism? Postmodernism and organization theory Poststructuralism and postmodernism Three key thinkers of postmodernism Jacques Derrida: the linguistic turn and deconstruction Organizational culture The challenges of postmodernism to organization theory Postmodernism and critical theory Postmodernism and the spectre of relativism Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 9: Reflective organization theory: symbols, meanings and interpretations Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter What it means to be reflective Working and acting together: symbolic interactionism Phenomenology and meaning Ethnomethodology: understanding organizational ‘common sense’ The ways in which individuals develop a sense of self in organizations Understanding organization culture through symbols Integrating different perspectives on organizational culture Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 10: Reflexive organization theory: critical theory, psychoanalysis and feminist organization theory Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter The development of critical theory as a challenging perspective in organization theory The development of psychoanalysis as a challenging perspective in organization theory Psychoanalysis and critical theory in action The challenges of critical theory and psychoanalysis for understanding the individual, the group and the organization Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Chapter 11: Perspectives and challenges Introduction Learning outcomes Structure of the chapter Comparing the different perspectives The paradigm debate The practical utility of organization theory Conclusions Concluding grid Suggested further reading Discussion questions References Index