Paperback
Concise Introduction to Organization Theory
From Ontological Differences to Robust Identities
9781803921280 Edward Elgar Publishing
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.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
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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.
Critical Acclaim
‘This text is a very useful and important step in moving Organization Theory more centre stage. The text is very well conceived, designed and crafted. It is thoughtful, measured and the unfolding presentation of the various aspects of Organization Theory is well handled so that the reader is led through the areas of the topic.’
– Peter Stokes, International Journal of Organizational Analysis
‘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 Netherlands
– Peter Stokes, International Journal of Organizational Analysis
‘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 Netherlands
Contents
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
