STUDIES
IN ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY
ROBERT HEFNER and EDWARD SEIFERT
1st edition, 406 pages, $29.95
ISBN 978-0-89641-046-6 
The task
of the current work is to emphasize the importance of administrative
theory gleaned from the behavioral sciences as it can be employed
to improve what Bernard called efficiency in the organization.
This volume is devoted to a study of why and how theory is needed
and developed as well as an examination of different categories
or classifications of theory. Literally it is a study of the "Theory
of Theory" as viewed by a pragmatist. With this purview in
mind, the study of interpersonal, one-on-one, or one-on-group
relationship is to be treated elsewhere.
This collection
was developed by examining many articles which seemed to constitute
a continuum of thought about administrative theory. It is not
a text complete with exposition, rhetoric, and study guides. The
anthology form is used with mere divisional synopses to give the
student of administration both classical and contemporary thought
concerning theory. One emphasis is on theory construction so students
can better understand why theory can serve them as an administrative
tool. A second emphasis relates to theory classifications as bureaucratic,
systems, and those gravitating toward egalitarianism. The third
emphasis which is unstated in most articles but pervades the array
of thought, is the practical value of theory for the practitioner.
Models, paradigms, and other theoretical forms are available to
the student from diverse sources. Thus, this anthology assists
the practitioner in acquiring an understanding of the basic constructs
of theory and of their general application to any organization.
Seven sections
are used in the book. They are arranged to provide a logical progression
of thought about theory. Three parts are related to theory development.
Considerations of a need for theory entail historical progress,
comments about a general theory, and speculation about the use
of theory. Theory development is considered by an examination
of the structure of concepts and abstractions. The third section
examines the nature of theory to include structure and the whys
and how of developing theory.
The pivotal
segment of the book looks at models and their content, type, value,
and development. This section contains examples of models and
contrasting thoughts and analyses of models by Getzels, Stogdill,
and Luthans. Secions concluding the volume are devoted to an examination
of bureaucracy, systems, and professional and collegial models
and theories. Contemporary thoughts about bureaucracy presented
in the first of these sections provide a prelude for considerations
of newer organizational forms. Systems theory tends to dissolve
more into a different perspective of theory rather than to become
a totally new concept when the next group of articles is contemplated.
Evolving models of an egalitarian bent are discussed in the concluding
section, which addresses professional and collegial designs.
Altogether,
the readings present a unique approach to the study of theory
in that they provide knowledge of the conceptualization, structure,
and use of theory for the manager: an "ivory tower"
concentration of interest from a pragmatic articles to acquint
the student with what has been, is, and may be the vogue in administrative
theory. Each article was field tested with students of diverse
backgrounds and capabilities. The best students apply their knowledge
in organizational settings; less knowledgeable ones have a better
understanding of what theory is an is not, and from that base
they too may grow.
Who then
is interested in a manual such as this? Anyone interested in the
study of administrative theory is the answer. Students of management
or administration by title, but from the disciplines of business,
education, sociology, health and political sciences, or industrial
psychology equally share this field. Articles in the book are
drawn from journals either published by or read by members in
each of these groups. The conceptual nature of the collection
is equally applicable to all these disciplines.
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: THE NEED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY
Chapter 2: CONCEPT STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 3: THE NATURE OF ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY
Chapter 4: MODELS IN ADMINISTRATIVE THEORY
Chapter 5: BUREAUCRACY
Chapter 6: SYSTEMS IN ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 7: PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGIAL MODELS