MBA 540 Introduction to Organizational Theory and Design

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MBA 540 Introduction to Organizational Theory
and Design
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Multiple Perspectives

• Different assumptions
• Different vocabularies
• Different ontologies (what things we can know
  about organizations
• Different epistemologies (how we know the things
  we know about organizations)

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Historical Perspectives
Classical
Modern
1900s
Symbolic- Interpretive
1950s
Postmodern
1980s
1990s
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Classical Theories of Organization

• Sociological theories of formal organization and
  work (Marx, Durkheim, Weber)
• Classical management theory formulated by
  practitioners (e.g., Taylor, Fayol, Barnard)
• Assumptions efficiency, rationality, control,
  antagonism between owners and labor (machine as
  metaphor)

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Classical Theories of Organization

• Vocabularies alienation, soldiering, scalar
  chain, piece-rate, bureaucracy, cooperative
  social systems, efficiency, rationality, one
  best way
• Ontology objective conditions of work,
  organization of work, and the management of work
• Epistemology scientific management, time and
  motion studies, armchair theorizing,
  prescriptions based on practice, typologies

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Modern Organization Theory

• General Systems Theory organizations as open
  systems with interrelated parts totality of
  system is focus of study (Boulding, Katz Kahn)
• Assumptions organization must survive and adapt
  to the external environment nested systems or
  embeddedness of lower systems in larger systems
  (organism as metaphor)

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Modern Organization Theory

• Vocabularies interdependence, equifinality,
  dynamic homeostasis, negative entropy, ecological
  terms
• Ontology objective physical reality of
  organization and its components that can be
  observed and studied scientifically universal
  laws can be derived. End result prediction and
  control
• Epistemology scientific method, descriptive
  case studies, surveys, statistical analysis

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Symbolic-Interpretive Organizational Theory

• Enactment of organizations and social
  construction of reality (Berger Luckmann,
  Weick)
• Assumptions we create the phenomenon we study
  and try to understand there are subjective
  origins of our organizational realities
  organizations are reified or made real by our
  actions and our words (i.e., we objectify
  organizations and environments) (culture as
  metaphor)

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Symbolic-Interpretive Organizational Theory

• Vocabulary subjective perceptions, social
  construction, reification processes, enactment
  processes, shared meaning systems, rites,
  rituals, symbolic representations
• Ontology we dont have objective knowledge
  about organizations since it is mediated by our
  subjective experiences

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Symbolic-Interpretive Organizational Theory

• Epistemology participant observation,
  interviewing, textual analysis, ethnography
  (cultural description)

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Postmodern Organization Theory

• Diversity of theories that critically question
  taken for granted notions about objective reality
  and universal principles (Lyotard, Foucault,
  Derrida)
• Assumptions social and cultural contexts help
  construct our subjective interpretations of
  organization (collage as metaphor)
• Vocabulary grand narratives, fragmentation,
  truth claims, progress myths, emancipation,
  giving voice to silenced groups, etc.

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Postmodern Organization Theory

• Ontology what we know is a product of social
  and cultural processes operating at a specific
  point in time in a specific place
• Epistemology critique of existing practice
  deconstruction linguistic and semiotic analysis
  feminist analysis cultural analysis results in
  self-reflexive understanding

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Concepts in Organizational Theory
ENVIRONMENT
Culture
ORG
Social Structure
Physical Structure
Technology