Organization theories: Do they work to explain the nature of organizations in an integral way?

Abstract

In the administration world, some theories that intend to give an answer to the organizational problems, and that try to understand and describe the phenomena that affect them, have emerged. However, their postulates could omit factors that impact the functioning of organization, and may not fulfil the objective for which they were created. In this essay, the postulates of different organization theories are briefly analyzed. First, the theory of scientific administration is analyzed. Then, the classical theory, the theory of human relations, the theory of bureaucracy, the theory of human behavior, the theory of cooperative systems, and finally the theory of contingency are analyzed. It is concluded that none of the theories integrally addresses the variables that explain its functioning, and a study that holistically addresses them is proposed. This study should include the variables that influence in the organization, all aspects of the human being, and the different disciplines of knowledge.

Keywords: Theory, organization, administration, human relations, bureaucracy, systems