The design of organizations has been an ongoing concern of management
theory and practice over the past several decades. Over this time, there
has been little change in the fundamental theory, principles and
concepts of Organization Design (OD). Recently organizational life has
changed dramatically with the advent of: new communication systems,
adaptive mechanisms, information technology, knowledge management
systems, innovation processes and more. This book systemically examines
these developments and their impact on OD with contributions from
leading scholars in the area.
The individual chapters are organized into five sections: (1) Putting
Contingency Theory in its Place, (2) Focus on Individuals who make up
the Organization, (3) Innovation Processes and Organization Design, (4)
Adaptation and Technology, and (5) Design for Performance. Each chapter
examines aspects of the book's threefold theme: (1) core issues in
organization design, (2) emerging perspectives in OD, and (3) new
developments and directions in organizational design. A special feature
of each chapter is: 1) implications for theory, and 2) implications for
practice.
DESIGNING ORGANIZATIONS: 21st Century Approaches is a benchmark
publication in the field of organization design. By focusing on recent
developments in organization design, this book will help to create more
thoughtful research and stronger empirical analyses in this important
area of management and organization.
