Hardback
Human Nature and Organization Theory
On the Economic Approach to Institutional Organization
9781840647143 Edward Elgar Publishing
In Human Nature and Organization Theory, Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto challenges the conventional wisdom that (organizational) economics is an amoral and empirically incorrect science. He treads new ground regarding the behavioural portrayal of human nature in organization theory.
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Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
In Human Nature and Organization Theory, Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto challenges the conventional wisdom that (organizational) economics is an amoral and empirically incorrect science. He treads new ground regarding the behavioural portrayal of human nature in organization theory.
The book focuses on the works of Taylor, Simon and Williamson, reconstructing methods and variables of their organization theories in non-behavioural, institutional economic terms. Implications for institutional economic theory building and practical intervention are outlined. The book suggests that the image of human nature in organizational economics has to be deduced from theoretical and practical outcomes of economic analysis rather than from methods of economic analysis. If this is considered, organizational economics can make considerable moral claims, since it can generate socially desirable interaction outcomes even in the face of pluralism.
This volume will appeal to a wide cross-section of organizational researchers, and also deserves to be widely read by economists, business ethics researchers and business historians.
The book focuses on the works of Taylor, Simon and Williamson, reconstructing methods and variables of their organization theories in non-behavioural, institutional economic terms. Implications for institutional economic theory building and practical intervention are outlined. The book suggests that the image of human nature in organizational economics has to be deduced from theoretical and practical outcomes of economic analysis rather than from methods of economic analysis. If this is considered, organizational economics can make considerable moral claims, since it can generate socially desirable interaction outcomes even in the face of pluralism.
This volume will appeal to a wide cross-section of organizational researchers, and also deserves to be widely read by economists, business ethics researchers and business historians.
Critical Acclaim
‘Wagner-Tsukamoto’s book provides an original perspective on the role of human nature in theorizing about organizations. Moreover, it offers a fresh reading of some of the classics of organization theory. . . it is written in clear, nontechnical language. Moreover, it is well structured, and its key theses are easily accessible. Therefore, Human Nature and Organization Theory should be of interest to a broad group of readers who have an interest in organizational theory and institutional economics and for those interested in the fields of economics and philosophy. . . I recommend this book to anyone looking for fresh ideas on economic methodology and organization theory.’
– Matthias Meyer, Academy of Management Review
‘Human Nature and Organization Theory is a very satisfying read with a broad appeal that stretches across disciplinary boundaries. Its author speaks not only to a wide cross-section of organizational researchers, economists, business ethics researchers, and business historians, but also in a revelatory and practical way to business managers. . . The enduring controversy about the portrayal of human nature in organizational economics has here benefited from a truly refreshing and insightful treatment.’
– Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
‘Human Nature and Organization Theory is a groundbreaking book which has a tradition that extends back to the early days of the Human Relations movement. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in the interface between the individual and the organization. It is a scholarly, thoughtful book.’
– Cary L. Cooper, CBE, Lancaster University Management School, UK
‘One of the most important developments in the social sciences in the last 20 years is the increasing recognition of the importance of institutional structures. This understanding is vital, for matters ranging from economic development to business efficiency. The more perceptive commentators recognise that the understanding of institutions and organisations also involves an appraisal of human nature, as situated in and moulded by these structures. Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto is one of this group. In a fresh and stimulating institutional analysis, he focuses on the key works of Frederick W. Taylor, Herbert A. Simon and Oliver E. Williamson. These important but contrasting approaches create a vital zone of enquiry, within which the author brings an engaging and interdisciplinary perspective. The result is a book that should be of interest for all social scientists wishing to understand the interactions between individuals and organisations.’
– Geoffrey M. Hodgson, University of Hertfordshire Business School, UK
– Matthias Meyer, Academy of Management Review
‘Human Nature and Organization Theory is a very satisfying read with a broad appeal that stretches across disciplinary boundaries. Its author speaks not only to a wide cross-section of organizational researchers, economists, business ethics researchers, and business historians, but also in a revelatory and practical way to business managers. . . The enduring controversy about the portrayal of human nature in organizational economics has here benefited from a truly refreshing and insightful treatment.’
– Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization
‘Human Nature and Organization Theory is a groundbreaking book which has a tradition that extends back to the early days of the Human Relations movement. I can recommend this book to anyone interested in the interface between the individual and the organization. It is a scholarly, thoughtful book.’
– Cary L. Cooper, CBE, Lancaster University Management School, UK
‘One of the most important developments in the social sciences in the last 20 years is the increasing recognition of the importance of institutional structures. This understanding is vital, for matters ranging from economic development to business efficiency. The more perceptive commentators recognise that the understanding of institutions and organisations also involves an appraisal of human nature, as situated in and moulded by these structures. Sigmund Wagner-Tsukamoto is one of this group. In a fresh and stimulating institutional analysis, he focuses on the key works of Frederick W. Taylor, Herbert A. Simon and Oliver E. Williamson. These important but contrasting approaches create a vital zone of enquiry, within which the author brings an engaging and interdisciplinary perspective. The result is a book that should be of interest for all social scientists wishing to understand the interactions between individuals and organisations.’
– Geoffrey M. Hodgson, University of Hertfordshire Business School, UK
Contents
Contents: Introduction 1. A Question of Method and Approach: In Search of Human Nature in Organization Research? 2. A Non-Behavioral Economic Approach to Institutional Organization: Contribution–distribution Interactions, Interest Equilibration and the Incentive-Compatibility of the Situation 3. Behavioural Approaches to Institutional Organization: Towards a ‘Science of Human Nature’? 4. Taylor’s, Simon’s and Williamson’s Search of Organizational Economics: Incentive Structures, Dilemmatic Interest Conflict and Mutual Gains 5. Organizational Behavior and Capital Utilization: Modeling Human Capital as Boundedly Rational or as Asset Specific? 6. Modeling Motivation and Cognition in Organizational Economics: Research Heuristics or the Portrayal of ‘Human Nature as We Know It’? 7. The Evolution of Institutional Organization: Economics of Environmental Change or a Behavioral Discovery Process of ‘True’ Human Nature? 8. Concluding Discussion: The End of Ethics or Is Economics the Better Moral Science? Bibliography Index
