This comprehensive reference work summarizes and reinterprets research, and suggests applications got the design of organizations. Scholars and professionals, from the United States, Europe, and other countries, present the contributions to organization theory of management science, political science, economics, sociology, systems engineering, psychology, history, and anthropology. The chapters draw examples from a large number of diverse industries and governmental activities, and they discuss design alternatives which should prove valuable for planning, redesign, and the continuing operations of organizations.

Volume 1 analyzes the effects of environments on organizations, and discusses the adaptive capabilities of organizations such as planning, forecasting, and innovation. Contributors examine the effects of change, particularly changes in technologies and in legal and political systems.