Power And Organizations

Description:
''Power and Organizations' is a marvelous addition to the literature on both organizations and power, as well as their intersection. It is well-grounded in the research on these topics and especially the wide-range of relevant theorizing. In terms of the latter, it moves effortlessly between Weber, Parsons, Goffman, critical theory, ethnomethodology, and much more. The book is terrific at bringing together theory, research and the world of organizations. In addition to being well-grounded, it is not only highly readable, but extremely interesting' - George Ritzer, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland and author of 'The McDonalisation of Society'. 'This book offers a comprehensive genealogy of power and organizations. It outlines the complex tapestry of ideas, traditions of thought and empirical research, which constitute the 'state of the art' of this discipline. While the material may be complex, the authors have managed to explain key concepts in a clear and informal way that is richly illustrated with empirical examples. I would confidently expect this work to become the standard point of reference for any post-graduate wishing to engage in research on power and organizations' - Mark Haugaard, Professor of Sociology and Political Theory, National University of Ireland. 'This book tirelessly illuminates the nooks and crannies of the power literature, where the lead author is frequently identified as an earlier visitor, taking readers on an audacious tour of power's multiple conceptualizations and expressions' - Hugh Willmott, Diageo Professor of Management Studies, Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. 'Too often political and organizational theorists have taken separate paths, addressing themselves to different problems and audiences. No more. In 'Power and Organizations', Clegg and his associates expose the power dynamics that lie at the heart of all political and organizational arenas, and in so doing, they shed light on the underbelly along with the creative potentialities in organizational life. This book is must reading for students of organizational and political theory who are eager to unite our understanding of how power operates in all contexts' - Joyce Rothschild, Professor of Sociology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. 'Strange but true - most studies of organizational hierarchies downplay the issue of power or uncritically assume more is better, while ignoring its pernicious effects. Stewart Clegg, David Courpasson and Nelson Phillips set the record straight, in a book that is sure to become required reading in many sociology, political science, and business classes' - Joanne Martin, Merrill Professor of Organizational Behavior and, by courtesy, Sociology Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Stanford. 'Power is a core concept in organization theory and the social sciences more broadly, yet it is missing from many contemporary debates. This book places the study of power where it belongs: at the forefront of our concerns as organizational researchers. Engagingly written, impressive in scope, and with a clear view of what power means, this book will command a wide audience' - Royston Greenwood, University of Alberta, Canada. In this tour de force, Stewart Clegg, David Courpasson and Nelson Phillips provide a comprehensive account of power and organizations, unlocking power as the central relation of modern organizations and society. The authors present an excellent synthesis of organization, social and political theory to offer an overview of power and organizations that is historically informed, addresses current issues - such as the emergence of a post 9/11 state of insecurity and its implications for organizations and society - and is comprehensive in scope. 'Power and Organizations' reviews the evolution of theories on power and organization, presenting not only the theorists who identify power as positive, but also dealing with the negativity of power and the real horror of which organizations are capable, which has thus far been underplayed in organization theory. At the core of organizational power projects are organizational elites, whose politics and projects are examined extensively in the book. This book concludes by examining the implications for organizations and their elites of the trends, tendencies, and theories considered in the course of the book. This book is required reading for graduate students and researchers in areas such as organization, social and political theory.

Review:
'Too often political and organizational theorists have taken separate paths, addressing themselves to different problems and audiences. No more. In Power and Organizations Clegg and his associates expose the power dynamics that lie at the heart of all political and organizational arenas, and in so doing, they shed light on the underbelly along with the creative potentialities in organizational life. This book is must reading for students of organizational and political theory who are eager to unite our understanding of how power operates in all contexts' -- Joyce Rothschild 20060328 'Power is a core concept in organization theory and the social sciences more broadly, yet it is missing from many contemporary debates. This book places the study of power where it belongs: at the forefront of our concerns as organizational researchers. Engagingly written, impressive in scope, and with a clear view of what power means, this book will command a wide audience.' -- Royston Greenwood 20060328

Table of Contents:
Fixing the Institutionalization of Theory and Practice Power and Efficiency Body, Soul, and Mind The Curious Case of Max Weber The Rational System and Its Irrational Other The Heart of Darkness Power to and Power over The Foucault Effect Critical Theories Discursive Theories Power and Organizational Forms Corporate Power Elites The Futures of Power?

Author Biography:
Stewart Clegg is a prolific publisher of several hundred articles in leading academic journals in strategy, social science, management and organization theory; is also the author and editor of about fifty books, as well as a Fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences, a Distinguished Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Management, a Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, and the recipient of significant awards from the American Academy of Management for his contributions to management theory and practice.