http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/30/on-visible-hands-and-grinding-gears/ a blog about information Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:37:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/30/on-visible-hands-and-grinding-gears/comment-page-1/#comment-158677 Stephen Smoliar Mon, 09 Jul 2007 14:52:25 +0000 http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/30/on-visible-hands-and-grinding-gears/#comment-158677 I think it is important to read Chandler in the context of Anthony Giddens' structuration theory. Organizational structures are, indeed, invented; and the context of invention involves not only objective factors like goal satisfaction but more social factors, such as the exercise of authority and the recognition of normative behavior. However, once in place, those structures then INDUCE other social factors, such as new forms of normative behavior in work practices. As those social factors become more influential, they, in turn, induce new organizational structures that better accommodate and/or facilitate them, making the whole relationship between structure and process a virtuous cycle. Chandler and Giddens lived in significantly different worlds along any number of dimensions, but in OUR world we need to appreciate the lessons that both of them offered! I think it is important to read Chandler in the context of Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory. Organizational structures are, indeed, invented; and the context of invention involves not only objective factors like goal satisfaction but more social factors, such as the exercise of authority and the recognition of normative behavior. However, once in place, those structures then INDUCE other social factors, such as new forms of normative behavior in work practices. As those social factors become more influential, they, in turn, induce new organizational structures that better accommodate and/or facilitate them, making the whole relationship between structure and process a virtuous cycle. Chandler and Giddens lived in significantly different worlds along any number of dimensions, but in OUR world we need to appreciate the lessons that both of them offered!

]]> http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/30/on-visible-hands-and-grinding-gears/comment-page-1/#comment-158490 Adina Levin Mon, 09 Jul 2007 05:17:25 +0000 http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2007/05/30/on-visible-hands-and-grinding-gears/#comment-158490 One of the important lessons I learned from Chandler was that the structures of modern organizations which we take for granted were invented, and not all that long ago in the scheme of things. If they were invented by people, for reasons at the time, with the goals and constraints of their time, then they can be changed. One of the important lessons I learned from Chandler was that the structures of modern organizations which we take for granted were invented, and not all that long ago in the scheme of things. If they were invented by people, for reasons at the time, with the goals and constraints of their time, then they can be changed.

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