Synopses & Reviews
Lively and clearly written, this comprehensive and innovative work provides a multi-disciplinary and contemporary introduction to organization theory. Offering an even-handed, balanced appreciation of different perspectives, its approach is pluralist, reflecting the diverse nature of organizational theory as a field of study influenced by thinkers from a variety of disciplines. Readers are encouraged to `adopt' these perspectives to expand their own views on the subject and to enhance their understanding. This book also introduces the multi-perspective approach, explores the ways in which organizations are analyzed, and covers topics of central importance in organizational theory, including decision-making, power, conflict, control, and change within organizations.
Table of Contents
PART ONE: WHAT IS ORGANIZATION THEORY?
1. Why Study Organization Theory
2. Histories, Metaphors and Perspectives in Organization Theory
PART TWO: CORE CONCEPTS OF ORGANIZATION THEORY
3. The Environment of Organization
4. Strategy and Goals
5. Technology
6. Organizational Social Structure
7. Organizational Culture
8. The Physical Structure of Organizations
PART THREE: KEY ISSUES AND THEMES IN ORGANIZATION THEORY
9. Organizational Decision-making, Power and Politics
10. Conflict and Contradiction in Organizations
11. Control and Ideology in Organizations
12. Organizational Change and Learning