What are the major differences between conducting an environmental analysis of an organisation from a modernist perspective compared to a symbolic-interpretivist perspective?
Does the use of militaristic language in 'corporate strategies' and other organisational documents reinforce a hegemonic masculinity within organisations?
"The creation and maintenance of a hierarchy of authority defines the basis for vertical conflict in the organisation, while the division of labour separates the organisation in a way that presents opportunities for horizontal conflict. Thus, choices about social structure (i.e. organisational design) lay a foundation for all the local conditions of conflict" (Hatch and Cunliffe, 2013: 259). Discuss.
'...(the attack on life in order to obtain profit, authority exercised to obtain control over the other, the imposition of methods of development that have been shown to be socially and ecologically harmful) leaves us with forms of organisation that act against humans and life, producing through their irrationality the victims whose existence they refuse to acknowledge and silence' (Dussel, 2006: 502). Discuss in relation to the challenges of achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability.
Are communities of practice formed to achieve social learning? Give some examples in organisations where this occurs. Which perspective could be used to describe our understanding of how communities of practice are formed in organisations?
Organisations tend to be measured by process maturity, e.g. ISO9000, Supply Chain Operations Reference Model (SCOR), Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI). It may be argued that at the highest level of process maturity, organisations are merely fulfilling Single Loop Learning. Are single and double loop levels of learning desirable? Discuss.
In what ways can organisational culture be described as a theatre? In what ways can organisational culture be described as a soap opera?
"In considering the influence that technology in general or any single technology has over human affairs, it is ... necessary to consider not only the technology and its presumed "imperatives," but also the key human agents of the technology, the organisations in which they operate, and how these influence the course of technological change" (Rudi, 257).
Select two of the four perspectives and discuss how they provide different insights into the relations between technology, organisations, management and employees.
Public sector organisations fulfil a particular role in society. Discuss this role and the type of measures of organisational effectiveness that might be appropriate for measuring public sector success.