Civilization and Organization Theory

The Natural Science Paradigm of knowledge has prevailed in Social Sciences for the last century or so. Organization Theory is no exemption to this trend. Though the construct culture is expounded sporadically yet there is no comprehensive body of knowledge linking roots of a civilization with ways of managing and organizing. This study traces the foundational values of Western civilization covering the periods of Dark and Medieval Ages through Enlightenment, Renaissance, Modernity and Postmodernity. It constructs two parallel discourses, historical and organizational, and reflexively compares them. Similar studies for other civilizations can substantiate the main thesis of this study that managerial practices are embedded in larger foci of civilization like philosophical, political, economic, religious and moral thoughts and values.