Organization: criteria for a critical and objective conception

Abstract

The concept of organization is often used in subjective, vague and even wrong ways. In this paper, the aim is to find criteria to objectively criticize and judge definitions applied in management research. The adopted approach is to depart from Barnard’s conception (1942) and to establish a dialogue with the scientific management literature. Rationalistic and formalistic conceptions are criticized. These ideas are replaced by correspondence between results and stakeholders demands. The focus on meaning is abandoned, in favor of an open social systems idea with work division, actual cooperation and power relations, and reproduction sustained by exchange with the organization social environment. In conclusion, a set of criteria is formulated to evaluate the objective and critical character of any proposed formal definition of organization.