Managerial challenges and tasks in multirational organizations
Journal
The International Public Management Review
ISSN
1662-1387
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2014-12-17
Author(s)
Abstract
This paper explores multirationality of public organizations from the perspective of
systems theory. In the tradition of this theoretical approach, it focuses on how communication may be used in explaining and understanding the hybridity of these organizations. It argues that faced with a variety of different rationalities of function systems in their environment, public organizations are responding, inter alia, by becoming more complex internally. In other words, they import different rationalities from their environment into their own house. Classifying public organizations as being comprised of highly autonomous subsystems, where each subsystem uses a specific type of specialized communication to process a subsystem specific rationality, this paper sheds light on associated tensions and conflicts within public organizations. It discusses managerial challenges and tasks deriving from multirationality within public organizations. The paper finally concludes that proper communication requires greater theoretical and practical consideration when explaining and dealing with conflicts stemming from the hybridity of public organizations.
systems theory. In the tradition of this theoretical approach, it focuses on how communication may be used in explaining and understanding the hybridity of these organizations. It argues that faced with a variety of different rationalities of function systems in their environment, public organizations are responding, inter alia, by becoming more complex internally. In other words, they import different rationalities from their environment into their own house. Classifying public organizations as being comprised of highly autonomous subsystems, where each subsystem uses a specific type of specialized communication to process a subsystem specific rationality, this paper sheds light on associated tensions and conflicts within public organizations. It discusses managerial challenges and tasks deriving from multirationality within public organizations. The paper finally concludes that proper communication requires greater theoretical and practical consideration when explaining and dealing with conflicts stemming from the hybridity of public organizations.
Language
English
Keywords
Communication
Multirationality
Public Management
Social Systems
Tensions and Conflicts
Institutional Complexity
Institutional Logics
Pluralistic Environments
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
International Public Management Network
Publisher place
St. Gallen
Volume
15
Number
2
Start page
58
End page
76
Pages
19
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
237805
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
3_Guenduez & Schedler_IPMR_Volume 15_Issue 2.pdf
Size
499.69 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
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