Key Concepts in Organization Theory

Ann Cunliffe is Professor of Organization Studies at the Escola de Administraçâo da Fundaçâo Getulio Vargas, Brazil and Visiting Professor at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy; Aalborg University, Denmark; and the University of Bath, UK. She previously held positions as 50th Anniversary Chair at Bradford University, UK, as Professor at the University of Leeds, UK, the University of New Mexico, USA, and California State University, USA. Her current research interests include ethical leadership, embodied sensemaking, non-traditional qualitative research methods, and reflexive approaches to research, practice and learning. In particular, she is interested in exploring how we can engage in collaborative, responsive and ethical ways of managing organizations. Ann’s recent publications include co-editor of the Sage Handbook of Qualitative Business and Management Research Methods (2018), and articles in Organizational Research Methods, the British Journal of Management, Human Relations, and the Journal of Business Ethics. She received the 2016 Lasting Impact Award from Sage Publications for her 2004 article in the Journal of Management Education and was the 2017 CMS Division Distinguished Keynote Speaker at the Academy of Management. Ann organizes the biennial Qualitative Research in Management and Organization Conference.

• IntroductionAgency TheoryAlienationAuthorityBureaucracyBusiness StrategyComplexity ScienceContested Exchange TheoryControlCooperativism Corporate GovernanceDecision MakingDiscourse in OrganizationsEnvironmental UncertaintyEnvironment-Organization InteractionFlexibilityGlobalizationIndustrial DemocracyInstitutional TheoryLabor Process TheoryLife Cycle ModelsMaterialityOrganization Structure and DesignOrganizational ChangeOrganizational CultureOrganizational Learning and Knowledge ManagementOrganizational SpacePostmodern Turn and Organization StudiesPower and PoliticsScientific Management Stakeholder TheoryStorytelling and Narrative ResearchStructuration TheorySystems TheoryTechnology and Organization StructureTransaction Cost Economics

′Luhman and Cunliffe have provided a glossary of organization theory terms from agency to storytelling to transaction cost economics. In doing so they provide an important resource to any course on organizations, so students can make their path through the terminological jungle. Each chapter is a rest stop on the journey, providing helpful hints, pointing out the dangers of the terrain and the safest paths to follow′ - Professor David BojeNew Mexico State University ′Luhman and Cunliffe perform a valuable service, helping to capture and make accessible the richness of current organizational theory and behaviour′ - Richard J. Badham, Professor of ManagementMacquarie Graduate School of Management, Macquarie University, Austrailia