CR I T IQ U I N G

(School Org an i z at i on a l
Theories)
R: RUFA ID A S. PA LAPA R
REPORTE
 INTRODUCTION
Organizations embody structured social units that need to achieve aims and needs as well as pursue shared
goals.

Organizational theory is made up of various disciplines and bodies of knowledge. Different theories have
emerged with the objective of fulfilling the functions of organizations, where society, politics and economic
forces have influenced organizations and their management practices. It involves various approaches in
analyzing organizations and attempts to explain the mechanisms of organizations.

Some of the theories of organization include classical theory, neoclassical theory, contingency theory, human
relations theory, and modern systems theory. These theories are based on multiple perspectives including
modern and postmodernist views. In education management and policy, it is necessary to understand
organizational theory within the micro and macro realms of the education settings.
CON TI NG EN C Y T HE OR Y
 One of the biggest criticisms of the Fiedler Contingency Model is lack
of flexibility. Fiedler believed that because our natural leadership style
is fixed, the most effective way to handle situations is to change the
leader. Leader switch is the only method to correct any problems
facing leadership styles in certain organizational structures. He didn't

MAJOR
allow for flexibility in leaders. In addition, the contingency model
itself has been questioned in its credibility. There is also an issue with
the least-preferred co-worker scale – if you fall near the middle of the

CRITICISMS
scoring range, then it could be unclear which style of leader you are.
(ass, B. M. (1990). Leader March, a Handbook of Leadership. New
York: The Free Press, 494–510, 651–2, 840–41.)

OF THE
CONTINGENCY This is also supported with several published criticisms of the

THEORY
Fiedler Contingency Model. One of the most cited is "The
Contingency Model: Criticisms and Suggestions," published
in the Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 13, No. 3. The
authors say that, even under the best circumstances, the LPC
scale only has about a 50 percent reliable variance. (ass, B. M.
(1990). Leader March, a Handbook of Leadership. New York:
The Free Press, 494–510, 651–2, 840–41.)
HUMA N R EL A T IO N TH EO RY
 MAJOR CRITICISMS OF THE HUMAN RELATION
THEORY
It lacks scientific validity.
Behavior of the workers during the experiments was not natural. It was actually the hawthorne
effect which gives their best when observed.
 Anti-Unions and Pro-Management Bias
Economic Dimension Ignored

Untenable Ideal of Conflict-free Society

 R N S Y ST EM S T H EO RY
MODE
MAJOR CRITICISMS OF THE MODERN SYSTEM THEORY

It is not a unified theory of organization but a mixture of several theories

 It is based on past empirical studies and there is nothing new in it.
It does not identify the precise relationships among the organization and
its environment.
It is not a solid thing. It is adaptive to change.