Concise Introduction to Organization Theory
From Ontological Differences to Robust Identities
Published on 3. May 2024
Book
Hardback
166 pages
978-1-80392-126-6 (ISBN)
Description
Our Elgar Concise Introductions are inspiring and considered. They explain the key principles in business and are expertly written by some of the world's leading scholars. The aims of the series are two-fold: to pinpoint essential concepts of business and management, and to offer insights that stimulate critical thinking.
In this Concise Introduction, Michael Lounsbury and Joel Gehman set out an overview of organization theory that clarifies how to cultivate a robust scholarly identity in a field rich with diverse research traditions. Providing a summary of rationalist, pragmatic and co-constitutive theories, they highlight how scholars can meaningfully contribute to the academic conversation and maximize the practical relevance of their work.
Key features:
Provides a comparative analysis of different organization theories
Helps scholars mindfully position themselves and their work within specific academic discussions
Highlights opportunities to bridge ontological differences by engaging in scholarly debates across theoretical categories
This Concise Introduction is a crucial reference point for organization scholars. It will also appeal to doctoral students and early-career scholars in management, strategy and entrepreneurship.
In this Concise Introduction, Michael Lounsbury and Joel Gehman set out an overview of organization theory that clarifies how to cultivate a robust scholarly identity in a field rich with diverse research traditions. Providing a summary of rationalist, pragmatic and co-constitutive theories, they highlight how scholars can meaningfully contribute to the academic conversation and maximize the practical relevance of their work.
Key features:
Provides a comparative analysis of different organization theories
Helps scholars mindfully position themselves and their work within specific academic discussions
Highlights opportunities to bridge ontological differences by engaging in scholarly debates across theoretical categories
This Concise Introduction is a crucial reference point for organization scholars. It will also appeal to doctoral students and early-career scholars in management, strategy and entrepreneurship.
Reviews / Votes
'Mike Lounsbury and Joel Gehman take us on an impressive journey in which they lay out the landscape of contemporary organization theory in a compelling and engaging way. Not only do they cover existing perspectives comprehensively and in depth, they also offer an innovative and powerful approach to navigating this extremely broad literature. Their take will profoundly reshape how we will map the field in the future. An absolute must-read for scholars and students of organization.' -- Renate Meyer, WU Vienna University of Economics, Austria and Copenhagen Business School, Denmark 'Organizations and organizing have seen radical changes in how coordinated action happens over the past generation. Technology is enabling entirely new methods of collaboration and conflict, and there is a Cambrian explosion of social forms. How can organizational scholars understand the "objects" they study (ontology) and the value commitments around them (axiology)? Lounsbury and Gehman provide a new organizing framework to understand where different theoretical traditions land on these dimensions. They guide scholars through those traditions to enable them to engage their community and the broader world to have the greatest impact. The book is an invaluable resource for rising scholars.' -- Jerry Davis, University of Michigan, US 'This introduction to Organization Theory is broad in scope, mapping the field over time and across its rationalist, pragmatic and co-constitutive domains, and also offers rare integrative insights across these domains. A must for postgraduate courses and for any of us looking to rethink our own approach to Organization Theory.' -- Paula Jarzabkowski, University of Queensland, Australia and City, University of London, UK 'This concise book is bound to be a timeless classic on organization theory. It skillfully lays out the major schools of theoretical thinking on the subject by uniquely identifying their philosophical underpinnings and lays out how these various ways of thinking helps students and those working in organizations think better and differently about organizations and organizational life. Wonderfully written, engaging and informative on every page, it is the Introduction to the field that we have all been waiting for.' -- Joep Cornelissen, University of Liverpool, UK and Erasmus University Rotterdam, the NetherlandsMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cheltenham
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-80392-126-6 (9781803921266)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Michael Lounsbury, Professor of Strategy, Entrepreneurship and Management, Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta, Canada and Professor of Business Strategy & Entrepreneurship, The Australian National University College of Business and Economics, Australia and Joel Gehman, Professor of Strategic Management and Public Policy and Lindner-Gambal Professor, George Washington School of Business, George Washington University, US
Content
Contents:
1 Introduction: the organization theory landscape
2 Rationalist theories
3 Pragmatic theories
4 Co-constitutive theories
5 The broad reach of organization theory
6 Conclusion: building a robust scholarly identity
References
1 Introduction: the organization theory landscape
2 Rationalist theories
3 Pragmatic theories
4 Co-constitutive theories
5 The broad reach of organization theory
6 Conclusion: building a robust scholarly identity
References