Richard M. Burton – författare

Organization Design: The Evolving State-of-the-Art outlines the larger role that organizational design is increasingly playing in management theory and practice. The book''s chapters review the main theoretical perspectives on organization design, identify important theoretical and practical issues currently facing the field, and suggest ways for valuable research to be conducted in the future. The chapters include sections that describe how the theoretical argument or empirical study specifically informs organization design theory and practice.

The volume is organized in four sections: (1) Theoretical and Practical Issues, (2) Fit, Contingency and Configuration, (3) Design and Performance, and (4) The Dynamics of Adaptation and Change. The book will be a broad discussion of topics in the field, but each individual paper will provide in depth analysis of the topic. A common element and theme is a focus on core theories in organization design and emerging perspectives.

The book will be a 2005-benchmark publication of organization design theory, principles and concepts, and it will be an important step in creating better models and stronger empirical analyses.

Designing Organizations: 21st Century Approaches is a benchmark publication in the field of organization design. The recent development in organization design has been sporadic; hence, this book will be an important step in creating more thoughtful research and stronger empirical analyses that take advantage of advances in estimation methods allowing for more complex causal modeling and stimulation technologies.

Featured in the book are the more practical elements of implementing OD in organizations. The chapter material is organized into five sections: (1) Putting Contingency Theory in its Place, (2) Focus on Individuals who make up the Organization, (3) Innovation Processes and Organization Design, (4) Adaptation and Technology, and (5) Design for Performance. The book will be a broad discussion of topics in the field, but still each individual chapter will provide in-depth analysis of the topic.

There are two very contrasting approaches to reading this book and learning about organizational design. The more traditional approach is to read the book, and then use the OrgCon on cases and applications. The second approach is to begin with the OrgCon software and only examine the book as you find it helpful. Which approach is better? It is your choice, not ours. In our experience, students in organizational design prefer to start with the OrgCon and a case, rather than with the book itself. Readers who have more background in organization theory and design usually examine the book first.

There are numerous changes in the third edition. The literature review in each chapter has been updated. The information processing approach is strengthened and applied more comprehensively as the theoretical underpinnings. Throughout we have rewritten the text beyond normal editing in an attempt to make the presentation clearer and easier to read.

This volume of Advances in Strategic Management explores emerging trends and contemporary research in the field of organization design. It reflects a renewed focus on the universal problems of organizing—the division of labor and the integration of effort. At the same time, it incorporates new ideas on designs for cooperation in organizations.

The studies published here employ a wide variety of theories and research designs to contribute to this renewal of organization design research, considering collaborative ways of working, organizational learning, and strategic innovation.