EFFECTIVENESS WITH A HUMAN FACE: EVOLUTION OF THE NOTION IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY

Abstract

The notion of effectiveness is polyvalent; it is widely used in economy, management and organizational theory and less in sociology. At the same time, effectiveness may be related to productivity, rationality, outcome, costs and benefits and other concepts. Approaches towards effectiveness analysis hinge upon orientation towards goal pursuit and survival, development of social ideas and managerial practices, as well as dominant approaches towards organizational analysis (the author considers the effectiveness as rational, natural and open system as defined by R. Scott), environmental influences and an ability to adopt certain institutional myths. The author tries to trace the evolution of the notion of effectiveness in organizational sociology— from the work processes in the scientific management of F. Taylor to the modern definitions of the concept of effectiveness.