Sociology and organization theory : positivism, paradigms and postmodernity

Author(s)

• Hassard, John

Bibliographic Information

Sociology and organization theory : positivism, paradigms and postmodernity

John Hassard

（Cambridge studies in management, 20）

Cambridge University Press, 1995, c1993

• : pbk

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 147-158) and indexes

Description and Table of Contents

Description

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.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• 1. Foundations of orthodoxy
• 2. The hegemony of systems
• 3. From functionalism to fragmentation
• 4. Closed paradigms and analytical openings
• 5. Multiple paradigm research
• 6. Postmodernism and organisation
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Author index
• Subject index.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA25202290
• ISBN:
  • 0521484588
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: Cambridge ; New York
• Pages/Volumes: xi, 167 p.
• Size: 23 cm
• Classification:
  • NDC9 : 361.1
  • DC20 : 302.35
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA0358725X