Since its first publication over twenty years ago, Images of Organization has become a classic in the canon of management literature. The book is based on a very simple premise—that all theories of organization and management are based on implicit images or metaphors that stretch our imagination in a way that can create powerful insights, but at the risk of distortion. Gareth Morgan provides a rich and comprehensive resource for exploring the complexity of modern organizations internationally, translating leading-edge theory into leading-edge practice.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Professor Morgan,
I only recently received a copy of Images of Organization (updated edition) as a desk copy to review for the I/O Psych class that I teach. I just started reading your book I am absolutely blown away by it. I cannot believe that I had missed this marvelous work. My ignorance knows few, if any, limits!
You pull together such a span of ideas and integrate them beautifully with your own angle, stimulating one's thinking. This is the kind of mind opening perspective to which I like to expose my classes. Thank you for condensing it so powerfully. By the way, the bibliographic notes are as exciting a read as is the rest of the book. I look forward to devouring the rest of the book.
James Michael Burke, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Center for Public Policy (Letter from James Michael Burke, Ph.D. 2006-10-03)
"This is the new updated edition of a classic published over 20 years ago. The book is based on the simple premise that all theories of organization and management are based on implicit images of metaphors that stretch our imagination in a way that can create powerful insights, but at the risk of distortion. The author provides a rich and comprhensive resource for exploring the complexity of modern organizations internationally, translating theory into practice." (APADE 2006-12-05)
"Let me say that I've loved teaching this course for over 10 years now, in part, because your book (and now the excellent CD) are so well thought out. You deserve a bow. Bravo." (Jim Bonilla 2007-02-26)
"This book is based on the simple premise that all theories of organization and management are based on implicit images of metaphors that stretch our imagination in a way that can create powerful insights, but at the risk of distortion. The author provides a rich and comprehensive resource for exploring the complexity of modern organizations internationally, translating theory into practice." (Abstract of Public Administration Development and Environment 2007-04-16)
I only recently received a copy of Images of Organization (updated edition) as a desk copy to review for the I/O Psych class that I teach. I just started reading your book I am absolutely blown away by it. I cannot believe that I had missed this marvelous work. My ignorance knows few, if any, limits!
You pull together such a span of ideas and integrate them beautifully with your own angle, stimulating one's thinking. This is the kind of mind opening perspective to which I like to expose my classes. Thank you for condensing it so powerfully. By the way, the bibliographic notes are as exciting a read as is the rest of the book. I look forward to devouring the rest of the book.
James Michael Burke, Ph.D.
Virginia Commonwealth University
L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs
Center for Public Policy (Letter from James Michael Burke, Ph.D. 2006-10-03)
"This is the new updated edition of a classic published over 20 years ago. The book is based on the simple premise that all theories of organization and management are based on implicit images of metaphors that stretch our imagination in a way that can create powerful insights, but at the risk of distortion. The author provides a rich and comprhensive resource for exploring the complexity of modern organizations internationally, translating theory into practice." (APADE 2006-12-05)
“A universe of thanks to you for spearheading the metaphoric, creative thinking about organizations. Your method has essentially electrified my teaching.”
--Mohammad A. Auwal, CSU, Los Angeles
(Mohammad A. Auwal 2007-01-25)"Let me say that I've loved teaching this course for over 10 years now, in part, because your book (and now the excellent CD) are so well thought out. You deserve a bow. Bravo." (Jim Bonilla 2007-02-26)
"This book is based on the simple premise that all theories of organization and management are based on implicit images of metaphors that stretch our imagination in a way that can create powerful insights, but at the risk of distortion. The author provides a rich and comprehensive resource for exploring the complexity of modern organizations internationally, translating theory into practice." (Abstract of Public Administration Development and Environment 2007-04-16)
About the Author
Gareth Morgan is well known for his creative contributions to management. He is the author of seven books, including Images of Organization, Creative Organization Theory, Imaginization and Riding the Waves of Change. He acts as consultant and seminar leader to numerous organizations throughout Europe and North America, and is Distinguished Research Professor at York University in Toronto. He has sat on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management, and Organization Studies; and is a Life Fellow of the International Academy of Management. Born in Wales, he now lives in Toronto with his wife, Karen and their children Evan and Heather.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was the single best book of all the books I was required to read for my Masters in Public Administration, and it remains a valued reference in my rather large personal library.
Other books I recommend:
Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies
Radical Man: The Process of Psycho-Social Development.
The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business (Collins Business Essentials)
Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration
Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
The Knowledge Executive
The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
The New Craft of Intelligence: Personal, Public, & Political--Citizen's Action Handbook for Fighting Terrorism, Genocide, Disease, Toxic Bombs, & Corruption
End of Bureaucracy and the Rise of the Intelligent Organization
Other books I recommend:
Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies
Radical Man: The Process of Psycho-Social Development.
The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book that Will Change the Way You Do Business (Collins Business Essentials)
Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration
Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
The Knowledge Executive
The Wealth of Networks: How Social Production Transforms Markets and Freedom
The New Craft of Intelligence: Personal, Public, & Political--Citizen's Action Handbook for Fighting Terrorism, Genocide, Disease, Toxic Bombs, & Corruption
End of Bureaucracy and the Rise of the Intelligent Organization
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Greg Rogers
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Morgan's Images of Organization is a well written book. I purchased this book for a class in Adult Education, and it is remarkably interesting. The book is organized around eleven chapters and a postscript. The most interesting parts of the book are Chapters 2 through 7.
CH 2: Organizations as Machines
CH 3: Organizations as Organisms
CH 4: Organizations as Brains
CH 5: Organizations as Cultures
CH 6: Organizations as Political Systems
CH 7: Organizations as Psychic Prisons
These chapters represent the majority of the material relevant to organizational theory. Anyone who wants to learn more about organizational design should read this book
CH 2: Organizations as Machines
CH 3: Organizations as Organisms
CH 4: Organizations as Brains
CH 5: Organizations as Cultures
CH 6: Organizations as Political Systems
CH 7: Organizations as Psychic Prisons
These chapters represent the majority of the material relevant to organizational theory. Anyone who wants to learn more about organizational design should read this book
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By L. Geri
Format:Paperback
Ignore the bad reviews below. This is one of the best books ever written on
organizations. If you are a serious student of management, this book is an essential
text.
organizations. If you are a serious student of management, this book is an essential
text.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
Boring
Text book concepts have merit, but the author seems to drop in political views as part of the text, I do not find that good learning
Published 1 month ago by no name
5.0 out of 5 stars
great textbook
I bought my copy used and it is in very good condtition. I am reading this for class. If it weren't required reading, I would still enjoy reading this book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kathryn A. Mattson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful Book
This book opened my eyes to theories that have employed for a long time in industry. It provides a better understanding of organizations, their structures, and many management... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daryl A. Daniels
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simple-easy to read.
Simple easy-to-read literature on the dynamics of the work place. I bought this book for a course on organizational development/leadership and I used it for so many other courses... Read more
Published 4 months ago by lauramagal
2.0 out of 5 stars
Are they really metaphors
I was recommended this book by a well known consultant who uses NLP in his work. The book starts off by defining metaphors and how by using metaphors to describe a situation we can... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mr. P. G. Chesters
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating and Brilliant
I loved reading this book. As a life-long student of organizational dynamics, I found Morgan's use of various metaphors to describe organizational theory to be both fascinating and... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mysteree
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Service
The book arrived on time and in good shape. All pages were intact, there was minimal writing in the book. Read more
Published 15 months ago by CommStudent
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complex. Not an easy book to read but worth it. Best book I have ever...
This was required reading for my undergraduate BSBA. I have read it 4 or 5 times since then. It does not read like a novel. Read more
Published 20 months ago by M. Nasca
3.0 out of 5 stars
Unique Textbook for an Organizational Behavior Course
I was required to purchase this book for an organizational behavior course I took. It's a lot to read, but it's fairly interesting to read about how organizations have evolved... Read more
Published 23 months ago by amariespence
4.0 out of 5 stars
Leadership
This text is easy to read and provides a great deal of information and insight itno leadership. Worthwhile read.
Published on October 24, 2010 by Deborah A Harris
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 100
books:
See all 100 books this book cites
100
books
cite this book:
See all 100 books citing this book
- The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker on page 219, and Back Matter
- Beyond the Pleasure Principle (Norton Library) by Sigmund Freud on page 221, and Back Matter
- Metaphor and Thought by Andrew Ortony in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Labor Market Segmentation by Gordon in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
- Management Information by Marilyn T. Thompson in Back Matter
See all 100 books this book cites
- Development Betrayed: The End of Progress and a Co-Evolutionary Revisioning of the Future by Richard B Norgaard on 6 pages
- Management Learning: Integrating Perspectives in Theory and Practice by John G Burgoyne on 4 pages
- Critical Management Studies by Mats Alvesson on page 45, page 157, and page 221
- Organizational Behaviour in Hotels and Restaurants: An International Perspective by Yvonne Guerrier on page 36, page 255, and Back Matter
- Hard Like Water: Ethics in Business by Vincent Di Norcia on page 58, and Back Matter
See all 100 books citing this book
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