What are Organizations?

Abstract

What do these definitions have in common and what do they tell us about the modern concept of an organization?

An organization is the rational coordination of the activities of a number of people for the achievement of some common explicit purpose or goal, through division of labour and function, and through a hierarchy of authority and responsibility. (Schein, 1980, p. 15)

An organization is a collection of interacting and interdependent individuals who work toward common goals and whose relationships are determined according to a certain structure. (Duncan, 1981)

An organization is a relatively enduring social system which is purposive and hierarchical. (Mansfield, 1984)