Missing Organizational Linkages : Tools for Cross-Level Research

by Paul S. Goodman

• ISBN13: 9780761916178
• ISBN10: 0761916172
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-07-10
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

The "organization linkage" concept is relatively new. This book provides a unique and very valuable approach to the study of organizations - how do actions among individuals and groups affect (or not affect) organizations as a whole, and vice versa. This ground-breaking book shows how to bridge the gap between the traditional micro and macro camps of organizational studies.

Author Biography

Paul S. Goodman is Professor of Industrial Administration and Psychology at the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie Mellon University, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Table of Contents

Introduction to the Series	vii
Preface	ix
Beginning the Conversation	1	(14)
Barings	2	(1)
Allied Manufacturing---Teams	2	(1)
Retailer---Downsizing	3	(1)
Product Design and Manufacturing	3	(3)
Rationale	6	(3)
Points of Convergence and Divergence---Existing Literatures	9	(3)
The Road Map	12	(1)
Concluding Thoughts	13	(1)
Conversation One	13	(2)
Framing the Organizational Linkage Problem	15	(14)
Coal Mining	16	(4)
ValuJet	20	(4)
Concluding Thoughts	24	(1)
Conversation Two	24	(5)
Tools for Linkage Analysis	29	(24)
Defining Organizational Linkages	30	(3)
Outcome Coupling	33	(4)
Negative Feedback Systems	37	(2)
Positive Feedback Systems	39	(3)
Defining the Context	42	(7)
Concluding Thoughts	49	(1)
Conversation Three	50	(3)
Organizational Errors	53	(24)
Defining Organizational Errors	55	(1)
Typology of Organizational Errors	56	(1)
Analyzing Barings and ValuJet	57	(16)
Concluding Thoughts	73	(1)
Conversation Four	73	(4)
Changing Organizations: Limiting Conditions	77	(18)
Why Focus on Linkages	78	(4)
Understanding Limiting Conditions---Prior Tools	82	(2)
Understanding Limiting Conditions---New Tools	84	(4)
Tracing Relative Contributions in Outcomes	88	(3)
Concluding Thoughts	91	(1)
Conversation Five	91	(4)
Focusing on System-Wide Changes	95	(30)
System-Wide Changes---Organizational Unit	96	(3)
Linkage Analysis	99	(8)
System-Wide Changes---Corporate Level	107	(12)
Concluding Thoughts	119	(1)
Conversation Six	120	(5)
Change and Linkages Among a System of Outcomes	125	(16)
Tools for Analysis	126	(1)
A Case---Analog Devices Inc.	126	(1)
An Analysis	127	(11)
Concluding Thoughts	138	(1)
Conversation Seven	138	(3)
Organizational Learning	141	(20)
Organizational Linkages and Organizational Learning	142	(3)
Learning in a Distributed Environment	145	(3)
Learning in a Lean Manufacturing Setting	148	(4)
Knowledge Creation---New Products	152	(6)
Concluding Thoughts	158	(1)
Conversation Eight	159	(2)
Reflecting Backward and Looking Forward	161	(20)
Tools for Linkage Analysis	162	(2)
Organizational Linkage Analysis---A Distinctive Perspective	164	(1)
Implicit Assumptions	165	(2)
New Research Issues	167	(3)
Organizational Mysteries	170	(3)
New Organizational Contexts	173	(2)
Methodological Approaches	175	(4)
Concluding Thoughts	179	(2)
References	181	(6)
Index	187	(6)
About the Author	193