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Organization Structure and Inter-Organizational Dependency: the Environmental Imperative

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Organization Structure and Inter-Organizational Dependency: the Environmental Imperative
22 The Icfai Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. IV, No. 4, 2007
© 2007 The Icfai University Press. All Rights Reserved.

Organization Structure and Inter-Organizational Dependency:
The Environmental Imperative

Contingency theory and Systems theory are the two dominant theories that bring out the link between organization structure and the environment. Systems theory has evolved over time and undergone several transitions.
This study tries to provide a more meaningful understanding about closed and open systems by linking with the object-observer model from physics. Additionally, the paper gives a finer view of the implications of the environment on the organization. It also captures several other areas like the role of environment on leadership, measuring the environment, etc. It acknowledges the role of perceptions of the managers in the process of adaptation. This study attempts to discuss the possibility of a perfectly closed system which is commercially oriented. It draws a conclusion on the imperative of environment on inter organizational network and interdependency. The paper, being conceptual in nature, broadens the current understanding and opens doors to several areas of empirical researches, which can take off from the propositions framed in the study.
* Reserach Scholar, The Icfai Institute for Management Teachers, Hyderabad, India. E-mail: eldosmp@gmail.com
Eldos Mathew Punnoose*

Introduction
The emergence of systems theory was able to stretch the spectrum of management beyond
‘closed systems thinking’ and adoption of ‘universalistic principles’ as prescribed by Taylor,
Fayol, and Weber (Kast and Rosenzweig, 1972). The diverse knowledge from different disciplines can be applied into the field of systems theory. The theory as such was given a proper shape by Bertalanfy in 1950, but the philosophical roots date back to Hegel (1770-1831). Scott in 1961 accelerated the relation of Systems Theory (ST) with organization theory.



References: 1. Astley and Van De Ven (1983), “Central Perspectives and Debates in Organization”, Theory Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 2. Betz and Mitroff (1974), “Representational Systems Theory”, Management Science, Vol 3. Beugré Constant, Acar William and Braun William (2006), “Transformational Leadership in Organizations: An Environment-Induced Model”, International Journal 4. Dess and Beard (1984), “Dimensions of Task Environments”, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 5. Donaldson L (2001), The Contingency Theory of Organizations (Foundations for Organizational Science), Sage Publications, CA, USA. 6. Duncan Robert (1972), “Characteristics of Organizational Environment and Perceived Environmental Uncertainty”, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 7. Emery and Trist (1965), “Causal Texture of Organizational Environments”, Human Relations, Vol 8. Kassner (1989), “Open Systems Theory and Women’s Progress in Academe”, Journal of Organizational Change Management, Vol 9. Kast and Rosenzweig (1972), “General System Theory: Applications for Organization and Management”, Academy of Management Journal, Vol 10. Katz D and Kahn R L (1978), The Social Psychology of Organizations, John Wiley & Sons, NJ, USA. 30 The Icfai Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. IV, No. 4, 2007 11 12. Miles, Snow and Pfeffer (1974), “Organization Environment: Concept and Issues”, Industrial Relations, Vol 13. Negandhi A R (1983), “Cross-Cultural Management Studies: Too Many Conclusions, Not Enough Conceptualization”, Management International Review, Vol 14. Paoline E A III and Slaon J J III (2003), “Variability in Organizational Structure of Contemporary Campus Law Enforcement Agencies: A National Level Analysis”, 15. Terreberry (1968), “The Evolution of Organizational Environments”, Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol 16. Thompson J D (1967), Organizations in Action: Social Science Bases of Administrative Theory, McGraw-Hill, NY, USA. 17. Weick (1969), The Social Psychology of Organizing, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA, USA. 18. Wilson Dominic (1999), “Competitive Marketing Strategy in a Volatile Environment Theory, Practice and Research Priorities”, Journal of Strategic Marketing, Vol 19. Yasai-Ardekani Masoud (1986), “Structural Adaptations to Environments”, Academy of Management Review, Vol

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