Sociology and Organization Theory

Positivism, Paradigms and Postmodernity

Bibliographic Data

ID23800463
AuthorsJohn Hassard (0000-0003-0468-4609, corresponding author)
Year1993
Publication date1993-04-15
Open AccessYes
TypeBOOK
VenueSociology and Organization Theory (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherCambridge University Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1017/cbo9780511557651
OpenAlexW1531556968
Open LibraryOL34458634M
ISBN9780511557651
LanguageEN
Citations received48

It has been claimed that organisation theory is in a state of 'crisis'. This book traces the history of the orthodox systems theory paradigm in organisation studies from its foundations in positivist sociology, through its theoretical and empirical development under structural-functionalism, to its recent deconstruction by postmodernists. The analysis offers general support for the 'sociology-in-crisis' thesis, but takes issue with one of its main propositions, that paradigms are incommensurable. It is argued that paradigms are porous rather than hermetic phenomena, a fact which has profound implications for the theory building process. Based on language-game philosophy, a dialectical theory is developed to illustrate how seemingly exclusive idioms can be mediated. The enquiry provides a pluri-paradigm method for organisational research, and an epistemological framework for postmodern organisational analysis.

Deconstruction (building) · Dialectic · Epistemology · Functionalism (philosophy of mind) · Positivism · Postmodernism · Postmodernity · Social science · Sociology · Structural functionalism · Management and Organizational Studies · Philosophy

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