Implications for organizational change in the structure process duality

Abstract

An emphasis on structure that overlooks process can be found in many research efforts directed toward managers and management. Overlooked process questions include what produced a structure, how to use a structure, and how to evolve or transform a structure to meet new circumstances and conditions. One way to introduce these questions is to focus research on the “structure-process duality”. Exploring the duality allows the enfolded order in process to emerge and associates outcomes with the processes used in various aspects of the management of organizations. Such an approach also connects with emergent ideas in various fields that have been drawn to structure-process dualities. Modes of study for process are proposed and distinguished from the standards applied to process research. These arguments are used to show how research into the structure-process duality can point to a new action theory that captures issues of crucial interest to management, such as transformational leadership.

Citation

Nutt, P.C. (2003), "Implications for organizational change in the structure process duality", Research in Organizational Change and Development (Research in Organizational Change and Development, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 147-193. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0897-3016(03)14082-7