Sociology and Organization Theory: Positivism, Paradigms and Postmodernity (Cambridge Studies in Management, Series Number 20)

It 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. .. It Has Been Claimed That Organization Theory Is In A State Of 'crisis'. This Book Traces The History Of The Orthodox Systems Theory Paradigm In Organization 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 Organizational Research, And An Epistemological Framework For Postmodern Organizational Analysis.--jacket. Foundations Of Orthodoxy -- The Hegemony Of Systems -- From Functionalism To Fragmentation -- Closed Paradigms And Analytical Openings -- Multiple Paradigm Research -- Postmodernism And Organization. John Hassard. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Frontmatter......Page 1 Contents......Page 9 List of figures and tables......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 1 - Foundations of orthodoxy......Page 16 2 - The hegemony of systems......Page 31 3 - From functionalism to fragmentation......Page 61 4 - Closed paradigms and analytical openings......Page 88 5 - Multiple paradigm research......Page 100 6 - Postmodernism and organization......Page 123 Notes......Page 151 Bibliography......Page 159 Author index......Page 171 Subject index......Page 175 Cambridge Studies in Management......Page 180

It has been claimed that organization theory is in a state of crisis. This book traces the history of the orthodox systems theory paradigm in organization studies from its foundations 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 that has profound implications for the theory building process.

This book traces the history of systems theory in organisation studies from its foundations to its recent deconstruction by postmodernists. The analysis offers general support for recent claims that organisation theory is in 'crisis', but takes issue with the common criticism that paradigms are incommensurable. In this chapter we trace the origins of functionalism and systems theory in social science.