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Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

Standard

Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation. / McKinley, William; Blau, Judith R.
In: Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 24, No. 2, 01.06.1979, p. 200-219.

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

Harvard

McKinley, W & Blau, JR 1979, 'Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation', Administrative Science Quarterly, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 200-219. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392494

APA

McKinley, W., & Blau, J. R. (1979). Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24(2), 200-219. https://doi.org/10.2307/2392494

Vancouver

McKinley W, Blau JR. Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation. Administrative Science Quarterly. 1979 Jun 1;24(2):200-219. doi: 10.2307/2392494

Bibtex

@article{61b0e4fc0d604abaa09518393e6114b8,
title = "Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation",
abstract = "This study of architectural firms considers the impact of ideas on organizational outcomes. Aspects of the dominant orientations regarding work-what the objective of the design process should be-are isolated and distinguished conceptually from purely organizational goals, such as survival or profit making. These {"}work motifs{"} are operationalized through content analysis, and their effects on organizational innovation are examined while controlling for more traditional predictors: organizational complexity, environmental complexity, size, technology, and formalization. The sample is then divided into those firms that are successfully innovative and those that are not, and in each subsample measures of organizational complexity are regressed on antecedent factors. This provides a means of testing environmental contingency theories and highlighting the structural dynamics that result from an emphasis on creativity in organizations. The findings from the comparison of innovative and noninnovative firms are explained through a synthesis of three perspectives in organization theory: Litwak's uniform/non-uniform dichotomy, Simon's analysis of ends-means hierarchies, and Blau's hypothesis about the relation between size and structural differentiation.",
keywords = "Management studies",
author = "William McKinley and Blau, {Judith R.}",
year = "1979",
month = jun,
day = "1",
doi = "10.2307/2392494",
language = "English",
volume = "24",
pages = "200--219",
journal = "Administrative Science Quarterly",
issn = "1930-3815",
publisher = "Johnson School at Cornell University",
number = "2",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ideas, Complexity, and Innovation

AU - McKinley, William

AU - Blau, Judith R.

PY - 1979/6/1

Y1 - 1979/6/1

N2 - This study of architectural firms considers the impact of ideas on organizational outcomes. Aspects of the dominant orientations regarding work-what the objective of the design process should be-are isolated and distinguished conceptually from purely organizational goals, such as survival or profit making. These "work motifs" are operationalized through content analysis, and their effects on organizational innovation are examined while controlling for more traditional predictors: organizational complexity, environmental complexity, size, technology, and formalization. The sample is then divided into those firms that are successfully innovative and those that are not, and in each subsample measures of organizational complexity are regressed on antecedent factors. This provides a means of testing environmental contingency theories and highlighting the structural dynamics that result from an emphasis on creativity in organizations. The findings from the comparison of innovative and noninnovative firms are explained through a synthesis of three perspectives in organization theory: Litwak's uniform/non-uniform dichotomy, Simon's analysis of ends-means hierarchies, and Blau's hypothesis about the relation between size and structural differentiation.

AB - This study of architectural firms considers the impact of ideas on organizational outcomes. Aspects of the dominant orientations regarding work-what the objective of the design process should be-are isolated and distinguished conceptually from purely organizational goals, such as survival or profit making. These "work motifs" are operationalized through content analysis, and their effects on organizational innovation are examined while controlling for more traditional predictors: organizational complexity, environmental complexity, size, technology, and formalization. The sample is then divided into those firms that are successfully innovative and those that are not, and in each subsample measures of organizational complexity are regressed on antecedent factors. This provides a means of testing environmental contingency theories and highlighting the structural dynamics that result from an emphasis on creativity in organizations. The findings from the comparison of innovative and noninnovative firms are explained through a synthesis of three perspectives in organization theory: Litwak's uniform/non-uniform dichotomy, Simon's analysis of ends-means hierarchies, and Blau's hypothesis about the relation between size and structural differentiation.

KW - Management studies

UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/2392494

U2 - 10.2307/2392494

DO - 10.2307/2392494

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 24

SP - 200

EP - 219

JO - Administrative Science Quarterly

JF - Administrative Science Quarterly

SN - 1930-3815

IS - 2

ER -

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Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review

Other publications by the same author(s)

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Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research

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Research output: Journal contributions › Scientific review articles › Research

A Theory of the Corporate Decision to Resist FASB Standards: An Organization Theory Perspective

Elbannan , M. A. & McKinley, W., 01.10.2006, In: Accounting, Organizations and Society. 31, 7, p. 601-622 22 p.

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research

Auditors' Perceptions of Client Firms: The Stigma of Decline and the Stigma of Growth

McKinley, W., Ponemon, L. A. & Schick, A. G., 01.02.1996, In: Accounting, Organizations and Society. 21, 2-3, p. 193-213 21 p.

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research

Business Ideologies and Perceived Breach of Contract During Downsizing: The Role of the Ideology of Employee Self-Reliance

Rust, K. G., Edwards, J. C., McKinley, W. & Moon, G., 02.2003, In: Journal of Organizational Behavior. 24, 1, p. 1-23 23 p.

Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research

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