Organization theory : challenges and perspectives / / John McAuley, Joanne Duberley, Philip Johnson

• Autore: McAuley John <1940->
• Pubblicazione: Harlow, England : , : Pearson, , [2014]; ©2014
• Edizione: Second edition.
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (474 pages)
• Disciplina: 302.35
• Soggetto topico: Organizational sociology
• Persona (resp. second.): DuberleyJoanne; JohnsonPhil <1955->
• Note generali: Includes index.
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• Nota di contenuto: 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.
• Sommario/riassunto: "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.
• Titolo autorizzato: Organization theory
• ISBN: 0-273-72444-4
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910150211003321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II