Editorial Introduction: Organizational Transformations

Abstract

The general study of organizational change and the specific development of the concepts of transformation and transition has come about in a way which is typical of organization theory. On the one hand there were increasing theoretical and methodological criticisms of the 1970s 'state-of-the-art' knowledge with its essential basis in a static contingency theory. The introduction, inter alia, of theoretical concepts such as strategic choice, interpretive schemes, power, crisis and enactment gave a more dynamic feel to organizations. The continuing plea for longitudinal and historical research suggested not only that new insights were to be gained from such an approach, but that the nature of organizations demanded a proper time focus.