Conclusion

This paper explored the historical foundations of organizational studies, finding that organizations have significantly influenced the development of human history by providing people a means to coordinate activities toward achieving a purpose. Formalized as a field of scientific inquiry in the mid-twentieth century, organizational theory has become a fractious field that views organizations through divergent lenses, the main perspectives being rational, natural, and open systems theories. No one theory has proven to be correct; in fact, few organizational theories have stood up to empirical analysis and the dynamic nature of organizations in their environments. In other words, scientists can explore and explain what has already occurred in an organization. Still, no theory seems to predict the correct course for any organization. However, both disparate theories and integrative perspectives have provided a better understanding of the nature of organizations, and research has provided sound practices for effectively managing organizations. Emerging from a period of “remarkable growth” (Scott & Davis, 2007, p. 390) in its field and of its subject, the field of organizational studies has provided an opportunity to build understanding about how organizations dynamically interact with individuals, groups, and processes within an environment.