Structural Contingency Theory: A Multivariate Test
http://www.getcited.org/pub/103362083
Author: Pennings, J. M. (University of Pennsylvania)
JOURNAL:
Organization Studies (OS), 8(3), 223 - 240.
YEAR: 1987
PUB TYPE: Journal Article
SUBJECT(S): *Organizational-Sociology (D593400); *Theoretical-Problems (D864425); *Structural-Functional-Analysis (D837400); *Banking- (D068100)
DISCIPLINE: No discipline assigned
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ABSTRACT:
A discussion of the methodological underpinnings that surround the research activities of structural contingency theory. Two research strategies are reviewed that entail a multivariate examination of the structure-environment-effectiveness relationship: one examines deviations from ideal structural profiles; the second involves a canonical r analysis between structural & environmental attributes for low & high effectiveness units. The results from field research in a commercial bank used to illustrate that the two analysis strategies indicate that effective organizational units show strong structure-environment interrelationships & lead one to conclude that there are indeed effectiveness-induced constraints on the choice of an organization's design or its environment. The methodological & conceptual implications of the findings are discussed. 2 Tables, 1 Appendix, 38 References. HA
