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Knowledge And The Theory Of Organizations: Organizations As Activity Systems And The Reframing Of Management

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  • Frank Blackler

Abstract

Recent developments in the theory of knowing and doing contrast with conventional rational‐cognitive assumptions about management and organization. This, and the emphasis that is currently being placed on the importance of esoteric knowledge for business success, suggests that a review of the relationship between knowledge, organization and management is timely. Activity theory offers a way of synthesizing and developing relevant notions. the approach has its origins in Russian psychology which endeavoured to avoid the dichotomies between thought and action and between individuals and society which have characterized Western theory. Activity theory examines the nature of practical activities, their social origins, and the nature of the ‘activity systems’ within which people collaborate. Modifications to Engestrom's contemporary presentation of the approach are suggested, and a theory of organizations as activity systems is offered. the theory reframes management by modelling the recurrent and embedded nature of human activities, by revealing the tentative nature of knowledge and its action orientation, and by highlighting the opportunities for individual and collective development that engagement and dilemma can provide. the article concludes by reviewing implications for the management of knowledge work, organizational capabilities and organizational learning.

Suggested Citation

  • Frank Blackler, 1993. "Knowledge And The Theory Of Organizations: Organizations As Activity Systems And The Reframing Of Management," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(6), pages 863-884, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:jomstd:v:30:y:1993:i:6:p:863-884
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-6486.1993.tb00470.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Nancy Beauregard & Louise Lemyre & Jacques Barrette, 2015. "The Domains of Organizational Learning Practices: An Agency-Structure Perspective," Societies, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Witt, Ulrich, 1998. "Imagination and leadership - The neglected dimension of an evolutionary theory of the firm," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 161-177, April.
    3. Keijo Räsänen & Susan Meriläinen & Raimo Lovio, 1994. "Pioneering descriptions of corporate greening: Notes and doubts on the emerging discussion," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 3(4), pages 9-16.
    4. Paula Jarzabkowski, 2003. "Strategic Practices: An Activity Theory Perspective on Continuity and Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(1), pages 23-55, January.
    5. Mike Valente & Christine Oliver, 2018. "Meta-Organization Formation and Sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(4), pages 678-701, August.
    6. Bernardo Batiz-Lazo & Jorge Gomes & Maria Mendes, 2002. "New Product Development & Management Of Knowledge In Portuguese Higher Education," Industrial Organization 0211019, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Chris Carter & Margaret Grieco, 2000. "New Deals, No Wheels: Social Exclusion, Tele-options and Electronic Ontology," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 37(10), pages 1735-1748, September.
    8. Mohammed Ali & Farag Edghiem & Eman Saleh Alkhalifah, 2023. "Cultural Challenges of ERP Implementation in Middle-Eastern Oil & Gas Sector: An Action Research Approach," Systemic Practice and Action Research, Springer, vol. 36(1), pages 111-140, February.
    9. Greig, Gail & Entwistle, Vikki A. & Beech, Nic, 2012. "Addressing complex healthcare problems in diverse settings: Insights from activity theory," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(3), pages 305-312.
    10. Reihlen, Markus & Klaas, Thorsten, 1999. "Individualismus, Holismus und Systemismus: Erörterung metatheoretischer Sichtweisen in den Sozialwissenschaften," Working Paper Series 99, University of Cologne, Department of Business Policy and Logistics.
    11. Macpherson, Allan & Holt, Robin, 2007. "Knowledge, learning and small firm growth: A systematic review of the evidence," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 172-192, March.
    12. Olaisen, Johan & Revang, Oivind, 2018. "Exploring the performance of tacit knowledge: How to make ordinary people deliver extraordinary results in teams," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 295-304.
    13. Troxler, Peter & Wolf, Patricia, 2017. "Digital maker-entrepreneurs in open design: What activities make up their business model?," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 807-817.
    14. Paul Vallance, 2011. "Relational and Dialectical Spaces of Knowing: Knowledge, Practice, and Work in Economic Geography," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 43(5), pages 1098-1117, May.
    15. François-Xavier de Vaujany & Vladislav Fomin & Kalle Lyytinen & Stefan Haefliger, 2013. "Sociomaterial regulation in organizations: The case of information technology," Post-Print hal-01648122, HAL.
    16. Carole Groleau & Christiane Demers & Mireille Lalancette & Marcos Barros, 2012. "From Hand Drawings to Computer Visuals: Confronting Situated and Institutionalized Practices in an Architecture Firm," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(3), pages 651-671, June.
    17. Paula Jarzabkowski & Julia Balogun, 2009. "The Practice and Process of Delivering Integration through Strategic Planning," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(8), pages 1255-1288, December.
    18. Torsten Ringberg & Markus Reihlen, 2008. "Towards a Socio‐Cognitive Approach to Knowledge Transfer," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 912-935, July.
    19. Lubomir Popov & Franklin Goza, 2019. "A Framework for Data Collection in Facility Programming: The Subject-Object Approach," International Journal of Social Sciences, International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences, vol. 8(2), pages 108-133, September.
    20. repec:dau:papers:123456789/13054 is not listed on IDEAS
    21. repec:dau:papers:123456789/4638 is not listed on IDEAS
    22. Liubertė Irina, 2019. "On Social Knowledge and Its Empirical Investigation in Contemporary Organisations," Management of Organizations: Systematic Research, Sciendo, vol. 81(1), pages 21-37, June.
    23. Anna Ujwary-Gil & Natalia Regina Potoczek, 2020. "A dynamic, network and resource-based approach to the sustainable business model," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 30(4), pages 717-733, December.

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