Readings on Modern Organizations. by Amitai Etzioni; A Sociological Reader on ComplexOrganizations. by Amitai EtzioniReview by: Joseph W. LellaSocial Forces, Vol. 48, No. 3 (Mar., 1970), pp. 439-440Published by: Oxford University PressStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2574700 .

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BOOK REVIEWS 439

of social science data demonstrating that either (a) the test performance of college students or (b) the behavior of comparative researchers is absolutely lawful and regular. For forty years the results of comparative studies of college teach- ing methods have been as predictable and invariant as the effects of gravity. It is this regularity which forms the moral of the monograph; namely, that researchers must fiind new directions, new ways to conceptualize the problem, a new theory which will allow effective analysis of the "teaching-learning linkage."

In search of new formulations, the authors make two suggestions. First, more emphasis should be given to those elements which are common to all college teaching methods. For example, the "no difference" results may simply indicate that uni- form student performance is a function of the overriding effects of the textbook which are more powerful than any differences in teaching method. Hence, future study should concentrate on texts.

The second suggestion is that greater emphasis be given to developing a new model of teaching- learning. "The Skinnerian model and the tech- nology of operant conditioning move in exactly the right direction because in these is a self-con- scious concern with the teaching-learning linkages" (p. 48). (Following that suggestion, the perspec- tive of the operant conditioner would highlight a commonality among all studies cited other than the textbook. The course final examination was the measure of student performance in these studies. Consequently, the operant point of view might be that the "no difference" results may simply indi- cate that uniform student performance is a func- tion of the overriding effects of uniform conse- quences, the exams, which are more powerful than any differences in teaching method.)

Anyone who has attempted a comparative anal- ysis of different teaching methods, or anyone who "knows" that small group instruction is superior to mass lectures would do well to read this won- derfully iconoclastic little volume. Although in- tentionally limited in scope, this is a book which deserves to become dog-eared at the hands of re- searchers, policy makers, and those in training to teach.

DON BUSHELL, JR.

University of Kansas

READINGS ON MODERN ORGANIZATIONS. By Amitai Etzioni. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1969. 290 pp. $3.95.

A SOCIOLOGICAL READER ON COMPLEX ORGANIZA- TIONS. By Amitai Etzioni. 2d ed., New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1969. 576 pp. $8.95.

The literature on formal organizations is not conspicuous for its coherence. Victor A. Thomp- son recently exclaimed, "It's a bird, it's a plane, it's organizational theory." Yet, we keep receiving volumes which propose yet another general model or theory, or which examine the variolus themes

and point to an imminent or actual convergence. Etzioni's collections, and his companion text to the Prentice-Hall Reader, Moderns Organ'iaations (1964), take the latter approach.

The selections in these volumes come from re- cent adherents to the major streams of organiza- tional analysis and are ordered in accordance with the way in which Etzioni feels they deal with an overriding common issue. A Sociological Reader on Conplex Orgaci2ations treats, in separately in- troduced sections: modern theories of organiza- tion; organizational goals; organizational struc- tures; the organization of knowledge; organiza- tion and society; organizational change; cross-cul- tural studies of organizations; and, methods for the study of organizations. The other collection is not divided into sections, but deals in general with the first three themes and the last, adding a theme on leadership. Each volume contains a dif- ferent selection of readings and by and large they represent some of the better contributions to the field.

Although one can discern at times a more than superficial identity in concept and in problems ad- dressed by the selections, a closer reading of them will disclose some deep divergences. These belie the overall emphasis on convergence and raise the question if indeed this is the way to introduce the field to the student.

In a section on the organization of knowledge, Etzioni poses the problem in the following way: "How to create and use knowledge on a large scale in organizations without undermining them?" A selection by Melville Dalton states the problem, how do line officers and staff professionals get along in a production organization and what in- fluences the way in which they do get along? He is interested in organizational problem-solving in a specific context. Mary Goss, in another selection, phrases her problem, how do individuals adapt when they are involved simultaneously in norma- tive systems (bureaucratic and professional) which seem to conflict?

Surely these themes touch upon that stated by Etzioni. However, both diverge significantly from it. The first is interested in solvinig problems in industry. The second is interested in coming to grips with an empirical situation which seemingly cannot be handled by Weber's ideal typical char- acterization of bureaucracy. Other works which touch upon the "knowledge in organizations" theme stated by Etzioni but not included in these collec- tions also propose very different problem stances, conceptualizations, and conclusions. See, for ex- emple, Strauss et al., Psychiatric Ideologies and Institutions (1964), and Rushing, The Psychiatric Professions (1964). Of what use is it to empha- size order to the student when there is relatively little ?

Rather expose the student to those efforts in the field which are groping toward what Herbert Blumer would call a real methodology, i.e., an analysis of starting premises, and of the ways in which data are chosen, gathered, conceptualized

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440 SOCIAL FORCES

and interpreted. With such a background, students could reach the kinds of scholarly commitments which are most congenial to them in a self-con- scious and intelligent fashion.

While ignoring their basic implications, Etzioni's -collections include a few initial guidelines; Wal- do's "Theory of Organizations"; Wolin's "Critique of Organizational Theories." Waldo also refers to an excellent full-length treatment which might well be excerpted, Krupp's Pattern in Organiza- tional Analysis (1961). One may hope that fu- ture editors and authors of textbooks will supply us with such materials as basic tools for students.

JOSE.PH W. LELLA McGill University.

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOlLOGY. By John Biesanz and Mavis Biesanz. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice- Hall, 1969. 651 pp. $7.95.

The Biesanzs' state in their objectives that the book's content reflects their concern with (1) the freedom and dignity of the individual, and (2) the cohesion of a free society. These certainly are two of the great concerns of our day, and are adequately dealt with in several sections of the book. A distinctive feature of the book, they say, is its threefold approach: historical, theoretical, and cross-cultural. The content, however, at least relative to the cross-cultural examples, does not seem to meet the expectation created by the au- thors. The historical flavor comes through es- pecially well in the discussion of the "Industrial- ization of England" and the "Negroes in the New World," but to a lesser extent elsewhere.

Strengths of the work from this reviewer's per- spective are the discussions on self-concept, mo-

tivation, symbolic interaction, conformity, group processes, and trust. The authors also include a typology of interpersonal relationships which pro- vides a useful orientation to the young college un- dergraduate trying to understand his relationship to society, generally, and other individuals, spe- cifically.

The inclusion of various personality models is also useful, but the attention given the different models is quite disproportionate. Major attention is given Freudian theory while biological deter- minism, cultural determinism, behaviorism, and social psychological theories are all handled in less than the amount of space given to Freudian theory alone.

Almost no systematic discussion is included rel- ative to the religious and educational institutions. This reviewer would argue that these two institu- tions are still of sufficient importance to command space in an introductory book.

A deficiency that lessens the book's appeal is that it does not include photographs, charts, di- agrams, or graphs, and only a very few tables.

Finally, the book lacks specificity in several places. For example, polygyny is said to be prac- ticed in many societies, but none is mentioned by name. Only Panama and India are cited in the discussion of underdeveloped countries. Biblio- graphical citation is sometimes less than would be desirable.

Most of the basic concepts needed in an intro- ductory book are adequately covered and the book as a whole is a useful addition to the selection available. John and Mavis Biesanz are to be com- mended for their efforts in writing Iintroductioin to Sociology.

JOHN F. SEGGAR Brigham Youing University

NEW BOOKS RECEIVED

Abrahamson, Mark. INTRODUCTORY READINGS ON

SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS, METHODS, AND DATA.

New York: Van Nostrand, 1969. 466 pp. Adam, Heribert. SUDAFRIKA: SOZIOLOGIE EINER

RASSENGESELLSCHAFT. Frankfort: Suhrkamp Verlag, 1969. 138 pp.

Allen, Donna. FRINGE BENEFITS: WAGES OR SO-

CIAL OBLIGATION? Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 272 pp. $4.00.

Anderson, Walt. THE AGE OF PRorEST. Califor- nia: Goodyear, 1969. 268 pp. $4.95.

Beckhard, Richard. ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT:

STRATEGIES AND MODELS. Reading, Mass.: Ad- dison-Wesley, 1969. 119 pp.

Bendix, Reinhard. NATION-BUILDING AND CIT-

IZENSHIP. New York: Anchor Books. 374 pp. $1.75.

Bennis, Warren. ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT:

ITS NATURE, ORIGINS, AND PROSPECTS. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley-, 1969. 87 pp.

Berger, Peter. MARXISM AND SOCIOLOGY. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969. 246 pp. Cloth, $6.50; paper, $3.95.

Berkeley, George E. THE DEMOCRATIC POLICE- MAN. Boston: Beacon Press, 1969. 232 pp. $7.50.

Berry, Brewton. ALMOST WHITE. London: Col- lier-Macmillan, 1969. 212 pp. $1.25.

Blake, Judith. POPULATION POLICY FOR AMER-

ICANS: IS THE. GOVERNMENT BEING MISLED? Re- print No. 320. Berkeley: International Popula- tion and Urban Research Institute of Interna- tional Studies and Department of Demography, University of California, 1969. 8 pp.

Blake, Robert, and Jane Mouton. BUILDING A DY- NAMIC CORPORATION THROUGH GRID ORGANIZA-

TION DEVELOPMENT. Reading, Mass.: Addison- Wesley, 1969. 120 pp.

Blishen, Bernard R. DOCTORS AND DOCTRINES.

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