Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory by Thompson, James D. [Transaction Publishers, 2003] (Paperback) [Paperback]

by Thompson

Organizations in Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory by Tho...

Genres: Business

Paperback

First published June 1, 1967

Reviews

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent organizational theory on how organizations interact, not how they are structured. Recommended for beginning supervisors and managers.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

A) This book is by James D Thompson, and the photo of the book verifies that. Who or what is Bertha Little Coyote? Maybe I missed a connection somewhere....
B) I worked through this book closely in grad school and have checked into it a few times since. It is a frustrating book, because the 'propositions' and much of the text are rather abstract, so they seem to be saying everything or nothing. I am sometimes amazed and grateful that someone has penetrated so deeply; I am sometimes fed up that vague obvious ideas pass as an academic accomplishment. Nonetheless, working through all that is useful, and the bibliography is thorough; this book should definitely be on the reading list for anyone interested in studying how organizations work.

[Alexander Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good conceptual model of organizations and place in modern societies that remains valid and is a foundation for research. It provides an effective classification of internal and external influences, the predictability of actions, and effects of uncertainties on organizational structure, decision tools and power.

[Alexandra Eremia]

This is among my favorite books because of format, writing style, generality.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

READ JUNE 2008

Good seminal work describing how organizations function.