Abstract
This paper posits civilization as a theoretical construct to study and analyze organization theory. Contextualization of organization theory has mostly centered on the constructs of culture and society and civilization is not posited as an organization theory episteme. This paper conceptualizes civilization as its foundational values or core essence or deep cognitive roots. The paper employs civilization as a theoretical construct in the backdrop of ethical, institutional, population ecology, and diffusion of knowledge theories of organization theory. It also seeks to posit civilization as an organizational metaphor and knowledge paradigm. It also presents a four-tiered conceptual framework which captures the value hierarchy of each of its four constituent components: civilization, culture, organizational systems and management models. After analyzing traditional organization theory along with its various faces it raises the question of what is way forward for traditional organization theory (TOT) and presents Prophetic Organization Theory (POT) as a strong, viable alternative with supporting arguments of great scholars of East and West with special focus on Islamic, Western and Chinese civilizations.
Highlights
Both Western and non-Western scholars call for contextualization of social and organization theories
Scott observed that utilitarian values of American culture have influenced the US organization theory paradigm
The two constructs linked with organization theory, are region and society specific
Summary
Bjur and Zomorrodian define organization and administrative theorizing as cultural values based. They developed a three level conceptual model for theorizing. Bjur and Zomorrodian define organization and administrative theorizing as cultural values based.22 They developed a three level conceptual model for theorizing. It is treated as synonymous with manners, civility and improvements.23 Durant defines it as “social order promoting cultural creation.” He identifies seven constituting elements of civilization which include: labor (tillage, industry, transport, trade and finance, private property and social classes), government (political system, state, law, family), morality (basic ethics, customs and manners, conscience and charity, order and discipline of desire), religion (use of supernatural beliefs for consoling the sufferings, character elevation, firming the social dispositions and order), science (keen-sight, thorough recording, unbiased testing, gradual gathering of objective knowledge), philosophy (man’s attempt to capture the something of the total perspective, the brave inquiry, consideration of truth, beauty, virtue and justice) and, letters (language, writing, art, history), Newman and Newman civilization as morality, literature, arts, commerce, diplomacy and presence of organized institutions.. From this point onwards, this paper treats core ethics, beliefs and foundational value systems of a civilization as its core essence or deepest cognitive roots which represent the construct Transferable to another historico-cultural type. From this point onwards, this paper treats core ethics, beliefs and foundational value systems of a civilization as its core essence or deepest cognitive roots which represent the construct
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