Carolina QuotesIt [a power based model of organization] sees organizations a intentional human constructions but not necessarily rational systems guided by official goals; as bargaining areas rather than cooperative systems; as systems of power rather than coercive institutions reflecting cultural norms, and as resources for other organizations and groups rather than closed systems. If we define organizations, then, as intentional human constructions wherein people and groups within and without the organization compete for outputs of interest them under conditions of unequal power, we have posed the issue of effectiveness quite differently
Charles Perrow Connected to the Carolinas
Source
p. 101 ; As cited in: Diehl-Taylor (1997)
- work
- "Three Types of Effectiveness Studies," 1977
- year
- 1977
- locator
- p. 101
Cite this record
“It [a power based model of organization] sees organizations …” Charles Perrow. Carolina Quotes, record CQ-A12EC665DE. https://carolinaquotes.com/quote/a12ec665de
More from Charles Perrow
As with all theories, we can learn something from agency theory and transaction-costs economics, since they emphasize something others hide. But as with all theories, they also distort; in fact, I will argue that their distortions outweigh the value of what they highlight.
The power structure will generally dictate the operative goals of the organization.
The concept of organizational goals, like the concepts of power, authority, or leadership, has been unusually resistant to precise, unambiguous definition. Yet a definition of goals is necessary and unavoidable in organizational analysis. Organizations are established to do something; they perform work directed toward some end.