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Organizational Theory

Organizational theories are the backbone of the field of organizational studies, which has as its objective the investigation of organizations, particularly human organizations, in order to better understand their structures, functions and properties for the purpose of enhancing productivity and satisfaction. Classical theorists of the field put forth that there is a single, generally-applicable way in which to create and operate an organization. However, current theorists take a different approach, believing in the unique nature of each organization and, therefore, in the need to seek personalized solutions, taking into account elements such as its size, technological requirements, environment, nature of industry, etc.

Organizational theories are interdisciplinary, based on knowledge from the fields of psychology, political science, economics, anthropology and sociology. They seek to explain behavior and dynamics in both individual and group contexts. This has become increasingly significant, especially when one considers the cultural diversity in today’s typical workplace and the need for global interconnectedness and interaction. As with other social sciences, organizational studies employs the use of data and modeling. Its theories are many, some examples of which are the theory of faceted classification, the theory of terminology and the theory of concept.

Web Resources On Organizational Theory

Organizational Theory
Wikipedia: Organizational Theory

Book Resources On Organizational Theory

Classics of Organizational Theory by Shafritz and Ott
Organization Change: Theory and Practice by W. Warner Burke

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