Structure and sense : a study of organization based on the theories of Weick and Jaques

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Karl E. Weick's Theory of Organizational Sensemaking and Elliot Jaques' StratifiedSystems Theory are not often deemed to be complimentary. The generally acceptedview is that these two positions represent two poles on a spectrum of organizationtheory. The thesis attempts to bring these two theories in conversation with oneanother and argues that organizational sensemaking is enriched in a requisitelystructured organization.The essence of stratified systems theory is that all humans have an inherent cognitivepotential level of coping with complexity. As people mature they gain the potential tohandle the next level complexity jobs. Similarly, jobs have a certain span withinwhich they can or should be successfully mastered. In organizations one can thenidentify different strata, according to job complexity. A requisitely structuredorganization uses strata to create a managerial hierarchy. Jaques argues that ahierarchy is not repressive if applied requisitely as people will naturally be drawn tojobs in the strata where they are most effective.Sensemaking on the other hand, is the cognitive ability to impose frames on ongoingflows and so make the world sensible. Normally it is an automatic process, but inorganizations the sense made is often fragile and under threat. Sensemaking andmanagement are two mutually interacting activities that influence each otherconstantly.The type of frame imposed on an object, the interpretation given to events, theplausibility of explanations forwarded and the contextualization of circumstances isdependent on one's applied cognitive capabilities. It is argued that if there are nodiscontinuites in cognitive capabilities and if the organization is requisitely structuredthen sensemaking is enhanced. This argument serves as the bridge betweenSensemaking Theory and Stratified Systems Theory. Other links are in pertinentproperties that are common to both theories, for example, requisite variety, trust,meetings and leadership, which are fundamental requirements in both theories. Whilethe theories are complementary, there remain some gray areas and some others ofcontention and these are considered towards the end.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University