Sociology and Organization Theory: Positivism, Paradigms and PostmodernityIt has been claimed that organisation theory is in a state of 'crisis'. This book traces the history of the orthodox systems theory paradigm in organisation studies from its foundations in positivist sociology, through its theoretical and empirical development under structural-functionalism, to its recent deconstruction by postmodernists. The analysis offers general support for the 'sociology-in-crisis' thesis, but takes issue with one of its main propositions, that paradigms are incommensurable. It is argued that paradigms are porous rather than hermetic phenomena, a fact which has profound implications for the theory building process. Based on language-game philosophy, a dialectical theory is developed to illustrate how seemingly exclusive idioms can be mediated. The enquiry provides a pluri-paradigm method for organisational research, and an epistemological framework for postmodern organisational analysis. |
Contents
The hegemony of systems | 19 |
From functionalism to fragmentation | 49 |
Closed paradigms and analytical openings | 76 |
Postmodernism and organization | 111 |
Notes | 139 |
| 159 | |
Other editions - View all
Sociology and Organization Theory: Positivism, Paradigms and Postmodernity John Hassard No preview available - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
approach to organizational argues assumptions Baudrillard behaviour Burrell and Morgan Clegg Comte concept contingency theory contrast Cooper and Burrell critical critical theory culture debate deconstruction define Derrida differentiation discourse Donaldson Durkheim empirical environment epistemological equilibrium everyday language-game example explain Fire Service firefighters four paradigms framework functionalist functionalist paradigm Gergen goal Habermas Hawthorne Hawthorne studies hermeticism human incommensurability integration interpretive Jean Baudrillard Jean-François Lyotard knowledge Kuhn Kuhn's Kuhnian language language-game logic logocentric Lyotard mechanical equilibrium method methodology modern modernist multiple paradigm research normative notion open systems organization theory organizational analysis Parsons particular perspective phenomena philosophy position positivism positivist postmodern problems radical humanist radical structuralist relations relationships Roethlisberger and Dickson scientific Selznick social action social science social theory society socio-technical socio-technical systems sociological orthodoxy sociological positivism sociologists sociology Spencer structural-functionalism structuralist structure sub-systems suggests systems theory task theoretical thesis writing