摘要:

ABSTRACTComparative, contingency approaches to organization structure have been criticized as being inherently static. The present article argues that functionalist theories and quantitative methods can explain structural change. This is exemplified by a diachronic enquiry into strategy and structure. Several propositions about organizational dynamics relating diversification, reorganization and performance are supported. However, the notion of contingency adjustment to structure to attain match as a frequent alternative to structural adjustment to contingencies is not borne out. Neither of the two prevailing theories of structural change, ‘contingency determinism’nor ‘strategic choice’, is completely adequate and a third formulation is advanced: that of ‘structural adjustment to regain fit’.While structural‐functional enquiry into organizations using comparative quantitative methods has yielded information about structural statics, the contribution to knowledge of dynamics seems more problematic. This article seeks to record that structural‐functionalism does inform the analysis of organizational change and to show that quantitative contingency approaches can illuminate change if the theory used in the analysis is formalized properly. This involves the partial abandonment of both of the main prevailing theories of structural change: contingency determinism and strategic choice. In their place this article offers as a potentially more fruitful model the structural adaptation to regain fit formulation. Within this the role of performance is shown to be important. The advantage of this framework is demonstrated empirically by means of an examination of the relationship between strateg

ISSN:0022-2380    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6486.1987.tb00444.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a research model which can guide empirical studies of technological innovation in business organizations. The focus of the model is the strategic management of new product development processes. Variables that affect the success or failure of these processes are identified and several research hypotheses are suggested for empirical examination.

ISSN:0022-2380    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6486.1987.tb00445.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTAmongst the growing literature on the technical and social aspects of microelectronics in work organizations, a considerable portion has direct or indirect pertinence to the question of managerial practice. That segment of the literature relating to new office technology is perhaps especially conscious of this angle — not least because this sphere of innovation has a clear bearing on the managerial role itself.Drawing both on theoretical issues extracted from this literature, and on empirical studies in three insurance companies, it is argued that while control is of crucial long‐term importance in shaping the general direction of organizational change using new technology, there are sound sociological reasons why the path which is beaten out in that direction remains a far from straight one. Moreover, while differences in organizational practice between these organizations are found to exist, these appear to be associated only indirectly with the diverse levels of technological sophisticat

ISSN:0022-2380    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6486.1987.tb00446.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0022-2380    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6486.1987.tb00447.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

ABSTRACTThis paper discusses the emergence of management education and training in the UK, France, Germany, USA, Japan, USSR, and China. It argues that given kinds of environmental changes may lead to a wide variety of training responses, depending on the industrial and cultural contexts in which they take place.

ISSN:0022-2380    

DOI:10.1111/j.1467-6486.1987.tb00448.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1987

数据来源: WILEY