Similarities, Connections, and Systems: The Search for a New Rationality for Planning and ManagementSince the early 1970s, the formal model of rational inquiry has come under increasing attack by scholars as well as practitioners in the business management, planning, and policy professions. Critics tell us that it ignores sentiments and emotions that are key to understanding professional practice. Yet, despite the attacks, there are few competitors for rationality and no usable alternative has emerged to take its place in the profession. Clearly a new practical paradigm is called for, and in this groundbreaking work, Niraj Verma goes beyond the criticism of rationality to present a bold alternative model of inquiry-a new rationality for the professions. Inspired by the work of pragmatist William James, Verma proposes a methodology that fuses the rational and the irrational to offer professionals an approach to inquiry that more completely examines all of the factors that impact the planning process in a practical, systematic way. An illuminating blend of philosophy, critique, and down-to-earth examples, Similarities, Connections, and Systems introduces a new, methodologically sound model of inquiry that aptly addresses the shortcomings of other models while remaining sensitive to the goals of professional practice. |
Contents
Introduction The Problem of Rationality in the Professions | 1 |
The New Rationality and the Professions | 15 |
Rigor and Efficiency in Analytic Reasoning | 17 |
Comprehensiveness and Systemic Reasoning in Planning and Management | 41 |
Lessons from William James A Pragmatic Synthesis | 63 |
From Systems to Similarities | 83 |
Interconnections and Similarities | 85 |
Connecting Theories of the Firm Similarities in Practice | 106 |
The Method of Similarity A Purposive Rationality for Planning and Management | 127 |
Notes | 133 |
| 143 | |
| 153 | |
Common terms and phrases
analytic and systemic analytic reason analytic tradition antifoundationalism argument aspects become behavioral theory box-and-arrow called causal chapter Churchman claim Coase Coase's Coasian complex concepts connected consequences consistency context corporation critics critique Cyert decision analysis dominant Donald Schön economic efficiency emphasis empirical example facts firm functional similarity goals Herbert Simon holism ideas important inquiry instance James's Kant knowledge laws logic lytic management and planning ment metaphor method of similarity neoclassical theory notion old comprehensiveness organization perspective planners Poletown poverty practical pragmatism priori laws problem production professional programs psychological purpose question reductionism reference class relevant rigor Russell Ackoff seen sentiment of rationality share shows similarity relations smoking and cancer strategy structural similarities suggests sustainable development systemic reason systems approach Tata Steel tautologies teleological teleological similarities theorists tion transaction cost truth understanding Verma War on Poverty West Churchman