STANDING BACK TO BETTER APPRECIATE: ON MULTI-LEVEL PROCESS THEORIZING

Abstract

If organizations and the behaviors within them are inherently processual in nature, then neither familiar variance-type theories nor conventional event sequence process theories may provide real explanations. Mackenzie’s chapter offers a paradigm-shaking alternative. Eschewing common units of analysis, he posits a new one. His “process framework” causally links agents, events and outcomes – these process frameworks are interdependently linkable one to another as well as compiled inclusionally across multiple levels. Mackenzie’s theory is conceptually anchored in a new ideal-type organization (the holonomic). It has both innovative data-gathering instrumentation and sophisticated analytic techniques. The theory is thus remarkably general and accurate but hardly simple. Its potential for both further organizational science work and managerial application appears substantial.

Citation

Lundberg, C.C. (2005), "STANDING BACK TO BETTER APPRECIATE: ON MULTI-LEVEL PROCESS THEORIZING", Yammarino, F.J. and Dansereau, F. (Ed.) Multi-level Issues in Organizational Behavior and Processes (Research in Multi-Level Issues, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 435-441. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1475-9144(04)03019-X