Inside Organizations and Out. Methodological Tenets for Empirical Research Inspired by Systems Theory

Cristina Besio; Andrea Pronzini

doi:10.17169/fqs-11.3.1539

Cristina Besio TU Berlin
Andrea Pronzini University of Lucerne

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17169/fqs-11.3.1539

Keywords: organizational research, systems theory, functional method, semantic analysis, management research

Abstract

This paper focuses on how organizational research inspired by Niklas LUHMANN's systems theory can be epistemologically framed and methodologically designed. Central methodological pillars such as structural and semantic analyses, observing contingencies, explaining trivialities, functional analysis and exploring coupling mechanisms are discussed. Drawing from several empirical studies, we demonstrate that systems theory is a highly efficacious framework for the study of modern organizations, as it permits an uncommon observational perspective that is able to question what is often taken for granted. Finally, we highlight how management can profit from systems theoretical research on organizations. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs1003165

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Author Biographies

Cristina Besio, TU Berlin

Cristina BESIO (Dr. rer. soc.) is a research fellow/lecturer at the Department of Sociology, TU Berlin. Her research focuses on systems theory, scientific communication, organizations, and ethics. She studied sociology in Urbino, Berlin and Bielefeld.

Andrea Pronzini, University of Lucerne

Andrea PRONZINI (lic. Phil. I) is a research fellow at the University of Lucerne. His research interests include systems theory, political and media studies, and organizational communication. He studied sociology in Zurich.