Organisation Theory

Introduction

Organizational theory is the study of organization as a phenomenon of interest for theorization and explanation. There are a wide variety of perspectives to view an organization, each having their own set of concepts to make sense of an organization. (Hatch & Cunliffe 2006)

Power is define as the ability to influence others to get intended and foreseen effects. (Parikh & Gupta 2010) It is one of the important aspects in an organizations' complexity structure and with its existence, conflict often arise due to the continuous struggle over control that power relations imply. (Hatch & Cunliffe 2006) Therefore, it is important to understand the limits of power and authority, resistance and obedience within the organization. This paper will take focus on the comparison of perspective of modernist and postmodernist through ontological and epistemological level, and how they contribute to the understanding of the limits of power and authority, resistance and obedience in accordance to organization structure and culture.

Modernism Perspective

Modernism ontological beliefs is that reality is seen exist independently in observer's knowledge. Because of their objective ontological beliefs, modernist adopted a positivism epistemology whereby knowledge is acquired through valid conceptualization and reliable measurement to test logic against the reality. (Clegg & Hardy 1999) Modernists also views organizations as a systematic real entities operating in a real world and is driven by rationality, efficiency and effectiveness. (Hatch & Cunliffe 2006)

In an organization, there are two structures, social structure and physical structure. In terms of organizational structure, modernist view organization as stable and fixed entities, causing its structure to influence efficiency and behavior of the organization. As well as influencing the communication of information and coordination within the organization. (March & Simon 1993) Hence, looking at organizational social structure, modernist believed social structure could be used as a tool to control organizational outcomes and reduce conflict. (Hatch & Cunliffe 2006) Therefore, in order to establish an efficient productive workplace, according to Jaffee (2008), it requires the possession and control of the knowledge about the methods of production.