On the Language of Organization Theory

Lloyd Sandelands · Robert Drazin

122 citations0/0 files storedOrganization Studies

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Management and Organizational Studies Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice Management Theory and Practice

Abstract

Theories of organization rely upon verbs such as shape, determine, select, and choose. Although these verbs appear to depict processes of organization, instead they obscure organization processes behind empty and misbegotten abstractions. These verbs are shown to have the character of achievements; their grammatical form encompasses the very outcomes they purport to explain. The reasons why such verbs exist and are used so prevalently are explored and implications for revising the language of organization theory are considered.

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1969The social psychology of organizing 1959The Science of "Muddling Through"1977The Population Ecology of Organizations 1978Organizational Strategy, Structure, and Process 1984Structural Inertia and Organizational Change 1967Organization and environment 1978The External Control of Organizations.1976The Structure of "Unstructured" Decision Processes

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