Modes of Explanation in Organization Theory

Andreas Georg Scherer

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Management and Organizational Studies Management Theory and Practice Business and Management Studies

Abstract

Abstract Organization theory (OT) is concerned with explaining the genesis, existence, functionality, and the transformation of organizations, and by doing so, it is also concerned with influencing organizational practice. OT knowledge differs from individuals' lay knowledge by its systematic and methodic characteristics. There are many organizational theories in textbooks, scholarly journals, etc., which are entirely different from each other. To deal with this variety of topics, the current literature suggests a categorization of themes at different levels of analysis. Depending on whether theories deal with the behaviour of individuals in organizations, with the behaviour of a whole organization, or with relationships among organizations, they could be distinguished into micro, meso, and macro theories of organization. Two distinctions are important in this respect: the research interest of the researcher and the methods used. These distinctions are important to understand the characteristics of different modes of explanations.

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