The Contingency Theory of Organizations. . - Book Notes - book review

Organization Studies, Nov-Dec, 2002

Lex Donaldson: The Contingency Theory of Organizations

2001, London: Sage. 324 pages.

Written by one of the foremost scholars in the field, this volume presents a comprehensive, in-depth, analysis of the theories, evidence, and methodological issues of contingency theory. The book begins by giving a clear overview of both the historical roots of contingency theory (see Chapts. 2 and 3) and its core paradigm--the structural adaptation to regain fit (SARFIT). It then pays homage to a rich tradition, handing it on by presenting a coherent interpretation of the array of theories and the research within them; signposting possible fruitful avenues for future research. Chapter 4 is an in-depth examination of the causal models in the received beaucracy literature, finding them to be deficient and attempting to base them more closely on contingency theory. Chapters 7 and 8 give a detailed assessment of the relation between fit and performance. Chapters 9 and 10 advance novel concepts such as disequilibrium, quasi-fit and hetero-performance, and suggest measurement models for future empirical research. This volume is one of the few that shows how organization research programmes can flourish on both conceptual and empirical groundwork. Above all, it shows that it takes time before even one flower can bloom. This volume will be appreciated not only by newcomers to the field, but also by seasoned professionals.