Formal Organizations - (Stanford Business Classics) by Peter M Blau & W Richard Scott (Paperback)

About the Book

Upon its publication in 1962, this book became one of the founding texts of organizational sociology. Bringing together diverse approaches, it presented a new focus of interest: the formal organization. This reissue, which includes a new introduction by Scott, makes this seminal work accessible to a new generation of scholars and practitioners.

Book Synopsis

Upon its publication in 1962, this book became one of the founding texts of organizational sociology. Bringing together diverse approaches, it presented a new focus of interest: the formal organization. Blau and Scott raised the level of analysis from attention solely on individual participants and work groups to a broader understanding of organizations as collective actors.

In the book, the authors reviewed multiple types of studies-including case studies, experimental research, and surveys-and integrated them to define new central themes. They used their own empirical studies of two social welfare agencies to illustrate the ways in which varying organizational contexts shape work group and participant attitudes and activities. Formal Organizations served to integrate research on both formal and informal systems, authority and leadership, and stressed the importance of links to the wider environment. This reissue, which includes a new introduction by Scott, makes this seminal work accessible to a new generation of scholars and practitioners.

From the Back Cover

Upon its publication in 1962, this book became one of the founding texts of organizational sociology. Bringing together diverse approaches, it presented a new focus of interest: the formal organization. Blau and Scott raised the level of analysis from attention solely on individual participants and work groups to a broader understanding of organizations as collective actors.
In the book, the authors reviewed multiple types of studies--including case studies, experimental research, and surveys--and integrated them to define new central themes. They used their own empirical studies of two social welfare agencies to illustrate the ways in which varying organizational contexts shape work group and participant attitudes and activities. Formal Organizations served to integrate research on both formal and informal systems, authority and leadership, and stressed the importance of links to the wider environment. This reissue, which includes a new introduction by Scott, makes this seminal work accessible to a new generation of scholars and practitioners.

Review Quotes

"Formal Organizations is a must-read for anyone wishing to understand the roots of contemporary organizational sociology. In this book, Blau and Scott anticipated--and catalyzed--many of the perspectives on organizations that emerged in the 1970s and that continue to influence current debates in the field. This timely reissue provides a welcome reminder of the historical context for much of what we take for granted about organizational sociology today." --Howard E. Aldrich, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

"This reissue of Formal Organizations by Blau and Scott is wonderful news. As
was true for the past generation, once again every student of organizations can and should read this classic text. Everyone can benefit immensely from its timeless contribution to the understanding of organizations." --Andrew H. Van de Ven, University of Minnesota

About the Author

Peter M. Blau was Professor of Sociology at the University of Chicago, Columbia University, and the University of North Carolina. W. Richard Scott is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Stanford University.