Organizations: Rational, Natural and Open Systems

Type

Book

Authors

W. Richard Scott

ISBN 10

0136419771

ISBN 13

9780136419778

Tags

Processes & Infrastructure, Reference, Social Sciences, Business & Finance

Abstract

This broad, balanced introduction to organizational studies enables the reader to compare and contrast different approaches to the study of organizations. This book is a valuable tool for the reader, as we are all intertwined with organizations in one form or another. Numerous other disciplines besides sociology are addressed in this book, including economics, political science, strategy and management theory. Topic areas discussed in this book are the importance of organizations; defining organizations; organizations as rational, natural, and open systems; environments, strategies, and structures of organizations; and organizations and society. For those employed in fields where knowledge of organizational theory is necessary, including sociology, anthropology, cognitive psychology, industrial engineering, managers in corporations and international business, and business strategists.

Description

The subject is organizations -- Varieties of organizations -- Organizations as rational systems -- Organizations as natural systems -- Organizations as open systems -- Combining the perspectives -- Creating organizations -- Conceptions of environments -- Boundary setting and boundary spanning -- Sources of structural complexity : the technical core -- Sources of structural complexity : the peripheral sectors -- Goals, power, and authority -- Organizational pathologies -- Organizational effectiveness.

Biblio Notes

Includes indexes.
Bibliography: p. 337-368.

Number of Copies