It has been claimed that organization theory is in a state of'crisis'. This
book traces the history of the orthodox systems theory paradigm in
organization studies from its foundations in positivist sociology, through
its theoretical and empirical development under structural-functionalism,
to its recent deconstruction by postmodernists. The analysis offers general
support for the 'sociology-in-crisis' thesis, but takes issue with one of its
main propositions, that paradigms are incommensurable. It is argued that
paradigms are porous rather than hermetic phenomena, a fact which has
profound implications for the theory building process. Based on
language-game philosophy, a dialectical theory is developed to illustrate
how seemingly exclusive idioms can be mediated. Two products from this
enquiry are a pluri-paradigm method for organizational research and an
epistemological framework for postmodern organizational analysis.
,
,Cambridge Studies in Management 20
Sociology and organization theory
, Cambridge Studies in Management 20
Formerly Management and Industrial Relations series
Editors
WILLIAM BROWN, University of Cambridge
ANTHONY HOPWOOD, London School of Economics
and PAUL WILLMAN, London Business School
The series focuses on the human and organizational aspects of management. It covers
the areas of organization theory and behaviour, strategy and business policy, the
organizational and social aspects of accounting, personnel and human resource
management, industrial relations and industrial sociology.
The series aims for high standards of scholarship and seeks to publish the best among
original theoretical and empirical research; innovative contributions to advancing
understanding in the area; and books which synthesize and/or review the best of current
research, and aims to make the work published in specialist journals more widely
accessible.
The books are intended for an international audience among specialists in
universities and business schools, undergraduate, graduate and MBA students, and also
for a wider readership among business practitioners and trade unionists.
For a list of titles in this series, see end of book
book traces the history of the orthodox systems theory paradigm in
organization studies from its foundations in positivist sociology, through
its theoretical and empirical development under structural-functionalism,
to its recent deconstruction by postmodernists. The analysis offers general
support for the 'sociology-in-crisis' thesis, but takes issue with one of its
main propositions, that paradigms are incommensurable. It is argued that
paradigms are porous rather than hermetic phenomena, a fact which has
profound implications for the theory building process. Based on
language-game philosophy, a dialectical theory is developed to illustrate
how seemingly exclusive idioms can be mediated. Two products from this
enquiry are a pluri-paradigm method for organizational research and an
epistemological framework for postmodern organizational analysis.
,
,Cambridge Studies in Management 20
Sociology and organization theory
, Cambridge Studies in Management 20
Formerly Management and Industrial Relations series
Editors
WILLIAM BROWN, University of Cambridge
ANTHONY HOPWOOD, London School of Economics
and PAUL WILLMAN, London Business School
The series focuses on the human and organizational aspects of management. It covers
the areas of organization theory and behaviour, strategy and business policy, the
organizational and social aspects of accounting, personnel and human resource
management, industrial relations and industrial sociology.
The series aims for high standards of scholarship and seeks to publish the best among
original theoretical and empirical research; innovative contributions to advancing
understanding in the area; and books which synthesize and/or review the best of current
research, and aims to make the work published in specialist journals more widely
accessible.
The books are intended for an international audience among specialists in
universities and business schools, undergraduate, graduate and MBA students, and also
for a wider readership among business practitioners and trade unionists.
For a list of titles in this series, see end of book
