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Testing Parsons: Evidence from an Organizational Subunit and Implications for Structural Functional Theorizing *
Author(s) -
Powers Charles H.,
Fernandez Marilyn
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
sociological inquiry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.446
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1475-682X
pISSN - 0038-0245
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-682x.2011.00397.x
Subject(s) - typology , dominance (genetics) , sociology , meaning (existential) , organizational theory , epistemology , management , economics , anthropology , biology , biochemistry , philosophy , gene
Talcott Parsons’ ideas are shown to have operational meaning when applied to organizations in two respects. (1) Parsons’ typology of system needs provides a meaningful way of categorizing administrative rules (protocols) developed by the subunit under study, and (2) “phase dominance,” anticipated by structural functionalists, is tested. Our analysis adds to Parsons’ framework (a) by helping to clarify the distinctive (and generally unappreciated) role that can be played by ground‐level administrative units in the process of adaptive change within large and complex organizations, and (b) by informing our understanding of organizational alignment with external societal forces.