Macro-Organizational Theory: Organizations in Social Context

Macro-Organizational Theory focuses on the organization and its social/economic environment. This class will explore various definitions of the organization’s environment, and the many types of macro-level organizational structures in which sets of organizations interact, function, compete, and cooperate. Important questions to be asked include the following: -What is an organizational environment and how do organizations “deal” with what is outside of their boundaries? -How are the boundaries of organizations defined/recognized/function? -How do environments influence organizational strategy and performance? -What are the major theories for assessing macro-level organizational phenomena? -What are the many ways in which organizations relate to other organizations?