Organization theory : modern, symbolic, and postmodern perspectives /

Hatch, who has taught management and organizational theory in the US and Europe, does an excellent job of clarifying the often confusing modern, symbolic-interpretive, and postmodern perspectives on organization. After introducing the concept of organization and the assumptions of the different perspectives, the author reviews the core concepts of organization theory (environment, strategy and goals, technology, social structure, culture, and physical structure). She also looks ahead by reviewing key themes and new theories that will affect organizations and organization theory in the future. Throughout, Hatch takes readers from the modern to the symbolic to the postmodern perspectives, consistently clarifying the distinctions between them and the contributions of each. The text gives advice on how readers can (and why they should) make organization theory come to life by applying the concepts to their own organizations. The author displays a consciousness of the stream of theory--a kind of theorizing about the theories--that is refreshing. Also refreshing is her straightforward writing and lucid language. Glossary, cases, and exercises would have been helpful additions for those wishing to use the work in the classroom. Upper-division undergraduate through faculty collections. B. J. Keinath; Metropolitan State University