Organisations in Action

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Thought-provoking, innovative guide to organisations - Rated
This book was on my University reading list and I have to say that it was well worth buying.

'Organisations In Action' explores various strands of contemporary organisational theory across five perspectives, from the positivistic to the post-modern. This book is really useful for academic work, as it cites literally hundreds of thinkers from an array of disciplines, such as philosophers, historians and anthropologists (e.g. relating ethnographic conceptions of time to the patterns of time used in businesses). The chronological structure of the book - chapters follow theoretical developments in the order that they have occured - makes it easy to dip into. As well as providing an excellent overview of current theories, Clark's contribution is to synthesise these approaches and to select the best aspects, arguing that the best way to understand organisations is to look at them in their particular organisational contexts. Observations such as why Fordism wouldn't have been successful if it had originated in England illustrate this message.

Anyone interested in business organisation or economics would enjoy this book, although it can be rather heavy reading! For an in-depth chronicle of theories which have shaped business teaching and thinking this book is excellent and far better than many textbooks. The only weakness of the text is that it necessarily jumps between highly abstract, difficult ideas at breakneck speed; however Clark has an elaborate and often grandiose style of writing which makes it entertaining and at times mind-blowing. Worth buying if you are keen to develop your knowledge of this discipline.