Essay instructions
Exploring the Paradigm Wars in Organisation Theory
The field of organisation theory is characterised as a fragmented body of knowledge, with many competing theories to explain organisational action. Critically analyse the contribution that agency and determinist theories make to our understanding of organisational action. Is it possible to reconcile these theories into a universal theory of organisation?
The essay
Examines the most significant disagreement amongst scholars in the field of organisational studies
Do manager's actually make a difference?
Your essay topic:
The field of organisation theory is characterised as a fragmented body of knowledge, with many competing theories to explain organisational action.
Critically analyse the contribution that agency and determinist theories make to our understanding of organisational action.
Is it possible to reconcile these theories into a universal theory of organisation?
Essay Structure
P1 - Introduction:
Why is the topic important?
State your contention
Is it possible to reconcile these theories into a universal theory of organisation?
What arguments will you present to support your contention?
Key issue is to examine choice and determinist perspectives:
What is similar?
What is different?
Are they opposing views, or can we reconcile them into a universal theory of organisation design?
Option 1: cannot reconcile
Present the argument
Discuss strategic choice [and give empirical examples]
Discuss determinism [and use IT/PE/RDT as examples]
Then compare and contrast - this is where the marks lie!
Option 2: they can be reconciled
Present the argument - use a typology of organisational design theories (such as Hrebiniak and Joyce 1985)
Discuss each element of the typology - discussing how each theory addresses a unique question/problem
Use conceptual/theoretical and empirical evidence to support your contention
Essay Structure
Conclusion should be the final paragraph:
Write it well, it is the last thing we read!
Use the language of the question in your conclusion
Make it brief and summative
Reference list:
Academy of Management Referencing style
Only include those references you've actually cited in the essay
Academic journal articles and research monographs only!
8 references will get you a bare pass!
Detailed instructions:
Write an essay-style response to this question, referring to the current academic literature on this topic. You may find this resource on Essay Writing helpful.
This essay is a critical review of the influential ideas about the role of managers in shaping organsational outcomes. Most critical essays follow this type of structure:
Introduction
- Open the essay with a short introduction to the area.
- Provide a response to the essay question.
- Provide a summary or 'road map' of your essay (a very brief outline of what you will discuss)
Main body
The main body of your essay will consist of paragraphs, which are akin to building blocks in the construction of your argument. Ensure that you:
- develop a discussion, informed by the key academics in the field, which answers the essay question
- demonstrate your knowledge of the field
- offer exposition and evidence to develop your arguments. Evidence will be the references to seminal works and key empirical studies
- use relevant examples and authoritative quotes - however only use quotes for effect. Excessive quoting does not demonstrate your understanding of the field.
- if your question has multiple parts, consider using subheadings to break up the text into a logical structure.
When structuring your paragraphs, remember that a paragraph is a related group of sentences that develops one main idea. Each paragraph should contain:
- a topic sentence that states the main idea to be discussed
- supporting sentences, which explain and develop the point that you're making
- evidence - your points should be supported by evidence from your readings
- analysis - analyse and interpret the evidence. Consider the implications, significance and impact of what you have been discussing, and conclude the paragraph with a critical conclusion you have drawn from the evidence.
Conclusion
In the conclusion, you need to:
- restate your response to the essay question
- summarise the main points
- finish with a broad statement about the implications of the topic for practice.
- ensure you don't introduce any new information into the conclusion.