Organization Theory
Organization Theory
Organization Theory
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Organization Theory
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Andrea Pontiggia
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Course Description
The purpose of this seminar is to take a rigorous in-depth look at selected theoretical approaches to
explain organizational phenomena. We concentrate primarily on what are called macro- theories of
organizations.
In each session we will examine both important historical contributions and more recent treatments
of the topic. Each session may contain both theoretical and empirical contributions. While sessions
may differ somewhat in their execution, each session will generally begin with a more general
discussion of the components and boundaries of the week's topic. This discussion will be followed by
a more in-depth exploration of the articles assigned for the week, where we will explore not just what
has been said but also how these theories have been tested and debated. One or two students will be
assigned to lead each session’s discussion, and will develop the questions that will guide and
structure each week's class.
Course Evaluation
Class Preparation and Contribution (40% of grade) - Each participant is required to come prepared to
class. Since class discussion is an integral part of the course, absences and lack of study are
unacceptable. Preparation will always involve reading all the weekly assignments. In addition, each
article will be assigned to class member who will prepare a short (preferably a single page) written
synopsis / critique of the article that they will e-mail to all class members by the day prior to our
class meeting. While I will provide some lecture materials, much of the course will involve engaging
in discussions about seminar topics. As noted above, 1-2 students will be tasked each week with
leading the class discussions.
Final Assignment Individual Paper (60% of grade) - Participants will also need to write a research
paper that relates a topic(s) covered in class to their own research interests. At a minimum, the final
product should define a research question, review and critique the extant literature, develop a few
testable hypotheses, and propose a method for testing the proposed hypotheses. The body of the
manuscript (excluding title page, references, figures, etc.) should not exceed 20 pages, double spaced
with one inch margins and times roman font.
Papers spanning Organization Theories and other disciplines such as organizational behavior,
accounting, marketing, strategy, sociology, etc. are also acceptable --subject to prior approval of the
professor.
Schedule
Date Topic
September, 23 • Course Overview: What is a Theory?
Does Theory matter?
• Organizational Studies and
Organization Theories: level of
analysis, unit of analysis and
multiplicity of paradigms
September, 30 • Decision Making and Structural
Contingencies: The “organizational
rationality”
October, 6 • Limits and Pitfalls of Contigency
Approach
October, 7 • The “Cambrian Era” of Organization
Studies: New Forms and New Theories
October 14 • Organizations and Institutions (Neo-
istitutionalism)
November, 3 • Evolution and Population
(Evolutionary Studies and P.E.O)
November, 4 • Strategy and Organization: from
structure to resources
November, 10 • Resource-based view of the Firm
November 11 • Learning and Knowledge-based
approches
December, 2 • What’s next? New Landscapes and
Perspectives
References
Astley G. e Van de Ven A. (1983), “Central perspectives and debates in organization theory”,
Administrative Science Quarterly, 28, 1983, 245-273
Augier M. and March J.G., (2005), “Notes on the Evolution of a Research Community: Organization
Studies in Anglophone North America: 1945–2000”, Organization Science, Vol. 16, No. 1, pp. 85–
95.
Bacharach, Samuel B. (1989), “Organizational Theories: Some Criteria For Evaluation”, Academy of
Management Review, 14(4), 496-515.
Demaggio, Paul J. (1995). Comments on "What Theory is Not". Administrative Science Quarterly,
40, 391-397.
Santos F.M. and K.M. Eisenhardt, (2005), “Organizational boundaries and theories of organization”,
Organization Science, Vol.16, no.5, pp.491-508.
Sutton, Robert I, and Barry M. Staw (1995), “What Theory is Not”, Administrative Science
Quarterly, 40, 371-384.
Weick, Karl E. (1995), “What Theory is Not, Theorizing Is”, Administrative Science Quarterly, 40,
385-390.
Whetten, David A. (1989), “What Constitutes a Theoretical Contribution?”, Academy of
Management Review, 14(4), 490-495.
Astley, W. Graham, and Andrew H. Van de Ven (1983), “Central Debates and Perspectives in
Organization Theory”, Administrative Science Quarterly, 28, 245-273.
Bagozzi, Richard P. and Lynn W Phillips, (1982), “Representing and testing organizational theories:
A holistic construal” Administrative Science Quarterly, 27, 459-489.
Dansereau, F., Yammarino, F.J., & Kohles, J.C. (1999), “Multiple levels of analysis from a
longitudinal perspective: Some implications for theory building”, Academy of Management
Davis-Blake, A. and Pfeffer, J. (1989), “Just a mirage: The search for dispositional effects in
Eisenhardt, Kathleen M. (1989), “Building theories from case study research.”, Academy of
Management Review, 14: 488-511.
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research using key informants”, Academy of Management Journal, 36(6), 1633-1651.
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Parkhe, Arvind (1993), “'Messy' research, methodological predispositions, and theory development
in international joint ventures”, Academy of Management Review, 18(2), 227-268.
Pfeffer J. (1993), “Barriers to the advance of organizational science: paradigm development as a
dependent variable”, Academy of Management Review, vol.18, n.4 599-620
Review, 24: 346-357.
Salancik, Gerald R. (1979), “Field Stimulations for Organizational Behavior Research”,
Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 638-649.
Shenhav, Yehouda (1995), “From chaos to systems: The engineering foundations of organization
theory,” Administrative Science Quarterly, 40: 557-86
Van de Ven, Andrew (1989), “Nothing is Quite So Practical as a Good Theory”, Academy of
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Webb, Eugene, and Karl E. Weick (1979), “Unobtrusive Measures in Organizational Theory: A
Reminder”, Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 650-659.
Weick, Karl E. (1989), “Theory Construction as Disciplined Imagination”, Academy of Management
Review, 14(4), 516-531.
(Neo)Institutionalism
Barley S.R. and P.S. Tolbert (1997) “Institutionalization an structuration: Studying the links between
action and institution”, Organization Studies, Vol.18, No.1, pp.93-117.
DiMaggio P. and W. Powell (1983), “The iron cage revisited: Institutional isomorphism and
collective rationality in organizational fields”, American Sociological Review, Vol.48, No.2, pp.147-
160.
Dobbin, Frank and John Sutton (1998), “The Strength of a Weak State: The Rights Revolution and
the Rise of Human Resources Management Divisions”, American Journal of Sociology, 104: 441-76.
Powell, Walter W., and Paul J. DiMaggio, eds. (1991), The New Institutionalism in Organizational
Analysis, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Sherer P.D. and K. Lee, (2002) “Institutional change in large law firms; A resource dependency and
institutional perspective”, Academy of Management Journal, Vol.45, No.1, pp.102-119.
Stinchcombe, A. L. (1959). "Bureaucrats and Craft Administration of Production: A Comparative
Study." Administrative Science Quarterly, 4(2): 168:187.
Suddaby, Roy and Royston Greenwood, (2005), “Rhetorical Strategies of Legitimacy.”
Administrative Science Quarterly, 50 (March): 35-67.
Tolbert, P. S. and L. G. Zucker (1983). "Institutional sources of change in the formal structure of
organizations: the diffusion of civil service reform, 1880-1935." Administrative Science Quarterly,
28: 22-39.
Tushman, M. L. and P. Anderson (1986). "Technological discontinuties and organizational
environments." Administrative Science Quarterly, 31: 439-465.
Network Theories
Burt, Ron, (2004). “Structural Holes and Good Ideas.”, American Journal of Sociology, 110(2): 349-
99.
Podolny, Joel, (2001). “Networks as the Pipes and Prisms of the Market.”, American Journal of
Sociology, 107(1): 33-60. CP.
Powell, Walter W. (1990). Neither Market Nor Hierarchy: Network Forms of Organization,
Research in Organizational Behavior (Vol. 12, pp. 295-336): JAI Press.
Powell, Walter W., D. White, K. Koput, and J. Owen-Smith, (2005). “Network Dynamics and Field
Evolution: The Growth of Interorganizational Collaboration in the Biotechnology Industry”
American Journal of Sociology, 110, 4 (Jan):1132- 1205.
Uzzi, Brian and Jarrett Spiro, (2005). “Collaboration and Creativity: The Small World Problem.”,
American Journal of Sociology, 111, 2 (Sept): 447-504.