Organizational Theory in Education: Seven Perspectives

Abstract

Purpose: Leaders benefit from having a toolkit of theoretical perspectives to frame problems, analyze situations, and propose solutions. This ability to use theory can help leaders know how others have acted in similar situations and how they can adapt given their context. Conceptual Model: The paper summarizes seven perspectives in organizational theory, with the mnemonic SCRIPTS: structure, culture, relations, institutions, professions, transformation, and social conflict. Each perspective highlights theoretical propositions, empirical findings, and practical applications. Summary: Structure includes bureaucratic causes and policy consequences. Culture involves organizational climate and individual sensemaking. Relational theories include social network and social capital. Institutional theories explain isomorphism and dynamism. The professions include sociological studies of group formation and psychological studies of motivation and satisfaction. Theories of organizational transformation center revolutionary and evolutionary processes for change. Finally, theories of social conflict include general processes of opportunity hoarding and specific processes explaining gendered and racialized organizations. Implications: This paper attempts to make organizational theories accessible to education leaders who can use the toolkit to understand their organizations and contexts. By systematizing theories and by knowing which theories to use, leaders and researchers can refer to the wealth of empirical findings within and beyond education to help address concerns and motivate improvement.