Talking About Organizations Podcast
76: Comparative Analysis of Organizations – Charles Perrow (Part 1)
May 11, 2021
A discussion on Charles Perrow's 1967 article on organizational analysis, exploring the classification of organizations based on technology, the importance of understanding their function, and different approaches to coordination within a group. The episode also delves into the role of mission and character in organizations, critiques of organizational structures, and the need for contextual insights in organizational theorizing.
51:37
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Quick takeaways
- Charles Perrow proposed a framework for comparing organizations based on the nature of the work being done, including task and social structures.
- Perrow emphasizes the importance of considering the type of work being done in organizations when comparing them, cautioning against generalizing based solely on function or industry.
Deep dives
The Framework for Comparative Analysis of Organizations
The podcast episode discusses Charles Perot's seminal article on the framework for the comparative analysis of organizations. Perot views organizations as systems for getting work done and emphasizes the role of technology as a defining characteristic. He proposes a four-characteristic framework, focusing on task and social structure, and highlights the implications for management. Perot distinguishes between different types of work, such as craft, routine, non-routine, and engineering, and explores their impact on organizational structure and goals. He also emphasizes the need to consider the type of work being done when comparing organizations and cautions against generalizing without recognizing differences in work and structure.
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