The origins of organizing are conventionally seen as emerging from the historiographical works of Western social scientists in the early 20th century. Here, the authors address a gap in current literature by exploring previously unrecognized or marginalized global origins in both modern and ancient history. This innovative collection of original, research-based work covers a variety of historical epochs and theoretical streams from ancient civilizations to modern movements in philosophy and the social sciences. Among other topics, the chapters evaluate ideas of organizing by Quakers, 16th-century Jesuits and communities in the Roman Empire and ancient China. The authors creatively and insightfully engage with the historiography and philosophy of organizing, presenting alternatives to the dominant Western-focused development of organizational theory and practice. Origins of Organizing is significant in expanding the field of organizational theory to incorporate key examples that move away from mainstream and traditional perspectives. It will serve as a complementary text for graduate students in the fields of organization theory, management history and critical management studies. Contributors include: J. Bento da Silva, C. Bettin, M. Brigham, G. Burrell, P. Case, B. Czarniawska, W. Dai, H. Gaggiotti, I. Iordanou, D. Kavanagh, M. Kostera, P. Krzyworzeka, A.J. Mills, T. Peltonen

The origins of organizing are conventionally seen as emerging from the historiographical works of Western social scientists in the early 20th century. Here, the authors address a gap in current literature by exploring previously unrecognized or marginalized global origins in both modern and ancient history. This innovative collection of original, research-based work covers a variety of historical epochs and theoretical streams from ancient civilizations to modern movements in philosophy and the social sciences. Among other topics, the chapters evaluate ideas of organizing by Quakers, 16th-century Jesuits and communities in the Roman Empire and ancient China. The authors creatively and insightfully engage with the historiography and philosophy of organizing, presenting alternatives to the dominant Western-focused development of organizational theory and practice. Origins of Organizing is significant in expanding the field of organizational theory to incorporate key examples that move away from mainstream and traditional perspectives. It will serve as a complementary text for graduate students in the fields of organization theory, management history and critical management studies. Contributors include: J. Bento da Silva, C. Bettin, M. Brigham, G. Burrell, P. Case, B. Czarniawska, W. Dai, H. Gaggiotti, I. Iordanou, D. Kavanagh, M. Kostera, P. Krzyworzeka, A.J. Mills, T. Peltonen

This book contributes to the discussions on the role of spirituality in organizing and leading, taking a philosophically and theologically rigorous perspective. Developing an approach to spirituality informed by Platonist philosophy and classical and mystical streams of Christian theology, the text re-assesses the role of religious insights and beliefs in contemporary theory and practice of management. It also engages critically with the more fundamental questions, such as the validity and limits of scientific method, the shaping of the cultural contexts of organizations, as well as the status of modern materialism. Spirituality and Religion in Organizing further discusses topics such as charismatic leadership, the ethics of martyrdom and the spiritual models of organizing from the perspective of the proposed metaphysical-theological stance.

This book contributes to the discussions on the role of spirituality in organizing and leading, taking a philosophically and theologically rigorous perspective. Developing an approach to spirituality informed by Platonist philosophy and classical and mystical streams of Christian theology, the text re-assesses the role of religious insights and beliefs in contemporary theory and practice of management. It also engages critically with the more fundamental questions, such as the validity and limits of scientific method, the shaping of the cultural contexts of organizations, as well as the status of modern materialism. Spirituality and Religion in Organizing further discusses topics such as charismatic leadership, the ethics of martyrdom and the spiritual models of organizing from the perspective of the proposed metaphysical-theological stance.

Understanding of the history and development of organization theory has recently made new advances through new work emerging on the history of management thought as well as through the institutionalization of critical approaches to organizations and organizational knowledge. There is a need to revisit the historical schools and their meaning for the contemporary debates in organizational theorizing, as well as to take a critical approach to the succession of paradigms. In addition, there is a continuing need in organization theory to distinguish between different metatheoretical influences behind new theories. In sum, a new version of the total historical development of organization is needed. This book addresses that need by directly using the historical sources of organization, instead of offering a secondary reading of the classics. It also shows how turns in social and cultural history intertwine with the changes in philosophical assumptions and social theoretical paradigms, without resorting to a simplified linear narrative. The book critically engages with both continuity and discontinuity between the different theoretical perspectives.

This book contributes to the discussion on wisdom in management, leadership and strategy by developing a unique theoretical approach. Integrating rational-analytical, intuitive and philosophical dimensions of wise decision-making, it advocates a broadly Platonic-Socratic view on wisdom. Applying a developed framework of wisdom dynamics, it analyses a number of decision-making case studies in order to discuss the potential of and obstacles to the use of wisdom in broader organizational trends, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the downfall of Nokia.

This book contributes to the discussion on wisdom in management, leadership and strategy by developing a unique theoretical approach. Integrating rational-analytical, intuitive and philosophical dimensions of wise decision-making, it advocates a broadly Platonic-Socratic view on wisdom. Applying a developed framework of wisdom dynamics, it analyses a number of decision-making case studies in order to discuss the potential of and obstacles to the use of wisdom in broader organizational trends, from the Cuban Missile Crisis to the downfall of Nokia.