Joan Woodward

Carolyn Popp Garrity

Chapter 90 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Historical Organisation Studies, 2026, pp 334-335 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Joan Woodward was a British industrial sociologist who challenged classical management principles and revolutionized organizational theory. Her groundbreaking research demonstrated that the optimal organizational structure is contingent upon situational factors, specifically production technology. Through extensive empirical studies, Woodward founded the contingency theory of management, emphasizing that no single organizational model suits all firms. Despite criticisms of oversimplification and limited scope, her influential works, including Management and Technology (1958) and Industrial Organization: Theory and Practice (1965), remain foundational in management studies. This pioneering research continues to shape organizational studies and practices.

Keywords: Contingency Theory; Management Structure; Industrial Sociology; Industrial Sociology Unit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035332922
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