Chapter 5

            In chapter 5, it talks about the schools of organizational theory. The five schools of thought talked about in this chapter are classical theory, humanist theory, neoclassical theory, systems theory, and new public management theory. Each school focuses on certain values in organization to characterize the school of thought. The scholars that make up a school share common values and assumptions about organization.

            The humanist school of organizational theorists, also known as the human relations school, developed in reaction to the image that organization is “one composed ideally of clearly defined units and subdivisions arranged in a pyramidal or hierarchic structure of authority” (p. 119). They think the classical model is too authoritarian and suppresses creativity. Human relations theorists focused on a need of the recognition of informal aspects of organization. It sought to help the workers and understand what factors that did not deal with economy affected these workers, the organization and the workers’ performances.

            The systems school of organization theorists value change rather than efficiency. This was created after World War II. The systems theory is multidimensional, complex, and sees organizations as states of equilibrium. It favors structures less rigid because “flexibility is a core value.” It calls for organizations to keep changing and adapting to their new environments to come.

            I think the best theory is the systems school theory because I like the idea of change, for the most part. Like many people, well everyone, in this world I want change but am scared of it. I believe change, most of the time, is a great thing but it does have its downfalls. The systems theory forces change and adaptation which can very much be a good thing and teach us to be quick on our feet and see what things are in need of change for the betterment of our communities.