A collection of both classic and contemporary studies of organizations that is designed around competing theoretical frameworks, this book examines organizations with attention to structure and objectives interactions among members and among organizations, the relationship between the organization and its environment, and the social significance or social meaning of the organization.
In introducing this reader comprising three dozen articles and critiques in organizational sociology, Handel (sociology, U. of Wisconsin-Madison) overviews definitional issues over the term organization as viewed by rational theories and open systems theories. Starting with classic theories of bur
Considers how diverse types of communities influence organizations, as well as the associated benefit of developing an accounting for community processes in organizational theory. This title focuses on social proximity and networks that has characterized the work on communities.
Presents a comparative analysis as a means to explain and describe organizational heterogeneity, at varying levels and contexts. This title consists of two sections: an introductory essay section and a section that focuses on specific theoretical, methodological and empirical topics.
Despite the profound influence that religious organizations exert, religion occupies a curiously marginal place in organization theory. This volume aims to make available in one place existing knowledge on religion and organizations, encouraging more organization theorists to include religion as part of their research activities and agenda.
The readings collected in Organizational Sociology are organized so as to direct attention to the six major theoretical traditions which have emerged since the 1960s to guide research and interpretation of organizational structure and performance. The traditions reviewed are: Contingency theory, Resource dependence. Population and Community ecology, Transactions costs economics, Neo-Marxist theory and Institutional Theory. Major statements of each theory are presented together with examples of related empirical research. A concluding section provides examples of recent attempts to combine and integrate two or more of these theories, as analysts attempt to account for some aspects of organization. Rather than pitting one perspective against another, contemporary analysts are more likely to selectively combine elements from several theories in order to better understand the phenomenon of interest.
Organizations are a defining feature of the modern world, and the study of organizations (Organization Studies) has become well established in both sociology departments and professional schools, most notably business and management schools. Organization Studies has long drawn inspiration from foundational work in sociology. The sociological lens affords depth of insight into the technological, economic, cultural, and political forces that shape organizations from both within and without. In particular, "classical" works in sociology have long energized organizational research, primarily by suggesting ways of making sense of the ever-accelerating pace of social change. In recent decades, however, the field has lost interest in these sociology classics. This trend reflects and reinforces an increasingly academic focus of contempory Organization Studies. Not only does this trend weaken Organization Studies' engagement with the big social issues of our time, but it isolates the field from the broader field of the social sciences. The aim of this Handbook is to re-assert the importance of classical sociology to the future of Organization Studies. Alongside several thematic chapters, the volume includes chapters on each of nearly two dozen major European and American theorists, each of these chapter addressing: (a) the ideas and their context, (b) the impact of these ideas on the field of Organization Studies, and (c) the potential future research these ideas might inspire. The goal is not reverential exegesis, but rather to examine how the classics can energize organizational research. This wide-ranging Handbook, with contributions from leading American and European scholars, will be a vital, informative, and stimulating resource for anybody undertaking research in, teaching, or interested in learning more about Organization Studies today. About the Series Oxford Handbooks in Business & Management bring together the world's leading scholars on the subject to discuss current research and the latest thinking in a range of interrelated topics including Strategy, Organizational Behavior, Public Management, International Business, and many others. Containing completely new essays with extensive referencing to further reading and key ideas, the volumes, in hardback or paperback, serve as both a thorough introduction to a topic and a useful desk reference for scholars and advanced students alike.
This work gives practical voice to the theoretical questions and research designs of an emerging agenda for organization theory that engages questions about broader social structure and organizations with theory in cultural analysis, stratification, and entrepreneurship.
Amy S. Wharton's anthology provides an overview of contemporary theory and research in the sociology of organizations. Three features of this book are particularly distinctive. It places an emphasis on sociological content. Although the readings reflect the multidisciplinarity and breadth of the organizations area, this anthology gives primary emphasis to selections with sociological content. Hence, the book should have strong appeal to instructors and students seeking a sociological understanding of organizations. The book pays attention to contemporary theory and research. A unique feature of this anthology is its attention to contemporary theory and research on organizations. At the same time, Wharton grounds the book in the modern classics. The readings reveal how organizational sociology contributes to our understanding of key social and economic issues, such as diversity, globalization, and the environment. This book is comprehensive, research-based, and methodologically diverse. It is comprehensive in its coverage of topics, levels of analysis, and methodological approaches.
