The Post-Bureaucratic Organization: New Perspectives on Organizational Change

The book is well organized and well written. After reading the book, I am convinced that our organizations must change in the directions prescribed by the authors, if these organizations are to succeed in this postindustrial, global age. –Personnel Psychology What is wrong with bureaucracy? What does the post-bureaucratic organization offer in the way of improvement? These and other provocative questions are addressed in this well-integrated collection of articles by leading scholars in the field of organizational change. The far-reaching implications of the transformation of organizations from bureaucratic to post-bureaucratic are critically examined. This outstanding volume begins with a definition of the ideal post-bureaucratic organization. It then critiques some of the fundamental assumptions of bureaucratic organizations such as the ethic of individual merit, decision-making roles, and coordinated effort. The contributors analyze the change process from bureaucracy to post-bureaucracy and three alternative approaches to bureaucracy including the virtual organization, the team organization, and the quality organization. The Post-Bureaucratic Organization concludes with two case studies that illustrate both the strengths and weaknesses of post-bureaucratic organizations. Ideal for scholars of organizational behavior, sociology of organizations, organizational psychology, and for those who are interested in the latest developments in corporate reorganization.