American Anti-Management Theories of Organization: A Critique of Paradigm Proliferation / Edition 1

by Lex Donaldson

Overview

This controversial book strongly criticizes recent developments in the study of organizational structure in the United States. It concentrates on five theories that are fashionable: population-ecology, institutional, resource dependence, agency and transaction costs economics. Each is shown to be flawed, either in its logic, or by studies of actual organizations. These sharply different theories have fragmented the field and present a negative view of managers. Lex Donaldson argues for an integrated theory built around structural contingency theory, that places managers in a more positive light.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521479172
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/16/1995
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Management , #25
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.63(d)

Table of Contents

1. Anti-management paradigms in organization theory; 2. Structural contingency theory of organizational adaptation; 3. A critique of population-ecology theory; 4. A critique of institutional theory; 5. A critique of resource dependence theory; 6. A critique of organizational economics; 7. Towards a unified theory of organizational structure; 8. A way forward for organizational structural theory.

Editorial Reviews

"...this is a good book evevn for those who are not convinced by the structural contingency accounts of organizations....provides a well-articulated review and evaluation of diverse perspectives and points out their critical weaknesses." Huseyin Lelebici, Administrative Science Quarterly

From the Publisher