search query: @indexterm Organizational theory / total: 550
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| Author: | Kirkpatrick, I. Ackroyd, S. |
| Title: | Archetype theory and the changing professional organization: a critique and alternative |
| Journal: | Organization
2003 : NOV, VOL. 10:4, p. 731-750 |
| Index terms: | Organizational change Organizational theory Professional organizations Professions Public services Sociology |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | In recent years there has been growing interest in analysing processes of change in professional service organizations drawing on the concepts of archetype theory. In this article, the primary goal of the authors is to question the validity of these ideas. They argue that the key weakness stems from the continued legacy of functionalism in this approach and the limited role given to human agency. A further problem is the uncritical generalization of assumptions about professional organization and change, especially in the context of public services. These difficulties bring into question the usefulness of archetype theory as a general model for understanding change. They also point to the need to develop alternative approaches to these issues. In this article, such an alternative is outlined, combining recent advances in the social theory dealing with the relationship between agency and structure with ideas from the sociology of professions. |
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