You are here

Diagnosing Organizations
Share
Share

Diagnosing Organizations
Methods, Models, and Processes

Third Edition


January 2005 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
How can organizations handle the opportunities and threats posed by rapidly changing markets and external conditions? How can they improve their overall effectiveness? The Third Edition of Diagnosing Organizations contains up-to-date treatments of techniques and models for diagnosing how organizations deal with challenges like these. The book also shows how consultants and applied researchers can help managers find ways to enhance organizational effectiveness. The completely revised edition of this best-selling book presents the latest techniques for gathering and analyzing diagnostic data. It also covers models and methods for diagnosing organizational designs, everyday practices, fits among organizational components, organizational politics, and power relations. Ethical and political dilemmas of consulting and diagnosis are also explored. The book retains its original coverage of the process of working with members of a client organization to plan and administer a diagnostic study and communicate its results.
 
Preface
 
1. Diagnosis: Approaches and Methods
Uses of Diagnosis

 
Three Keys to Successful Diagnosis

 
Diagnosis in Turbulent Times

 
Conclusion and Plan of the Book

 
Exercise

 
 
2. Open Systems Models
Using the Open Systems Approach

 
Gathering and Analyzing Data

 
Assessing Effectiveness

 
Assessing Feasibility of Change and Choosing Appropriate Interventions

 
Exercises

 
 
3. Assessing Individual and Group Behavior
Model for Diagnosing Individual and Group Behavior

 
Action Model for Group Task Performance

 
Diagnostic Methods and Procedures

 
Exercises

 
 
4. System Fits and Organizational Politics
Diagnosing System Fits

 
Emergent Behavior and Culture Versus Official Mandates

 
Assessing the Impacts of Fits and Gaps

 
Power and Politics

 
Exercises

 
 
5. Environmental Relations
Guidelines for Diagnosis

 
Diagnostic Methods

 
Exercises

 
 
6. Challenges and Dilemmas of Diagnosis
The Goals Dilemma

 
The Politics Dilemma

 
The Professionalism Dilemma
Conclusion

 
Conclusion

 
 
Appendix A: General Orientation Interview
 
Appendix B: Instruments for Diagnosis and Assessment
 
Appendix C: A Guide to Diagnosing Behavior During Meetings
 
Appendix D: Resources for Developing Expertise in Diagnosis
 
References
 
Index
 
About the Author

It's a great textbook for the course
'Organization Diagnosis'. It provides the necessary information, tactics, and tools to best complete an organizational diagnosis accurately.

Dr NienChi Liu
Institute of Human Resource Management, National Central University
November 11, 2013

Concise text which nicely combines theory and practice and provides guidance to applying 'diagnostic' processes in practice.

Mr Robin Miller
Health Services Management Centre, Birmingham University
September 11, 2013

Clear, understandable writing that all levels of students could understand and use

Ms Jennie Gross
Education/Jennie Gross, Denver Career College
February 28, 2012

I recommend Harrion's book on diagnosing organizations to all my master thesis students. It helps them to think more accurately on research within organizations.

Mr Ferry Koster
Sociology, Erasmus University Rotterdam
January 22, 2012

For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9780761925729
£76.00

Hardcover
ISBN: 9780761925712
£121.00