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Cited by 2,053Management and Organizational StudiesQualitative Comparative Analysis ResearchManagement Theory and Practice

CONFIGURATIONAL APPROACHES TO ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS.

MEYER, A. D., TSUI, A. S., HININGS, C. R.·1993·Academy of Management Journal
DOI 10.2307/256809
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Abstract

The 1993 Special Research Forum on Configurations is dedicated to the proposition that configurational theory and research can significantly advance understanding of people, groups, and organizations. In this introductory essay, we define configurational approaches to organizational analysis, trace the history of configurational thinking, distinguish the contingency approach from the configurational approach, and highlight key contributions of the five empirical articles that make up the special research forum. Most of these articles report research conducted at the organizational level of analysis, but we argue that the configurational perspective has unrealized potential at other levels as well and suggest some configurational approaches to revitalizing theory and research at the individual and group levels.

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  • A configurational perspective emphasizes that causality is complex.

    “In viewing cases under study as constellations of interconnected elements, a configurational perspective emphasizes that causality is complex in that it is often characterized by three features: 1) conjunction, which means that outcomes rarely have a single cause but rather result from the interdependence of multiple conditions; 2) equifinality , which entails more than one pathway to a given out”

    From Embracing Causal Complexity: The Emergence of a Neo-Configurational Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Meyer, Tsui, & Hinings, 1993

  • This body of work aimed at capturing coherent patterns among strategic, organizational, and environmental attributes that lead to organizational effectiveness.

    “This body of work aimed at capturing coherent 'patterns' among strategic, organizational, and environmental attributes that lead to organizational effectiveness (Meyer et al., 1993).”

    From Embracing Causal Complexity: The Emergence of a Neo-Configurational Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Meyer et al., 1993

  • Meyer et al.'s (1993) introduction to the Special Forum on Configurations laid the foundations for a neo-configurational approach by emphasizing that causality is often conjunctural, equifinal, and asymmetric.

    “Among these works, Meyer et al.'s (1993) introduction to the 'Special Forum on Configurations' in the Academy of Management Journal laid the foundations for a neo-configurational approach by emphasizing that causality is often conjunctural, equifinal, and asymmetric, and urging configurational researchers to focus on examining this causal complexity more directly.”

    From Embracing Causal Complexity: The Emergence of a Neo-Configurational Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Meyer et al., 1993

  • Meyer et al. urged configurational researchers to focus on examining this causal complexity more directly.

    “Among these works, Meyer et al.'s (1993) introduction to the 'Special Forum on Configurations' in the Academy of Management Journal laid the foundations for a neo-configurational approach by emphasizing that causality is often conjunctural, equifinal, and asymmetric, and urging configurational researchers to focus on examining this causal complexity more directly.”

    From Embracing Causal Complexity: The Emergence of a Neo-Configurational Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Meyer et al., 1993

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Authors
MEYER, A. D., TSUI, A. S., & HININGS, C. R.
Affiliations
  • University of Oregon (US)
  • University of California, Irvine (US)
  • University of Alberta (CA)
ORCID
MEYER, A. D.
Venue
Academy of Management Journal
Publisher
Academy of Management
Published
1993-12-01
Volume
36
Issue
6
Pages
1175-1195
ISSN
  • 0001-4273 (ISSN-L)
  • 1948-0989
DOI
10.2307/256809
OpenAlex
W2136969986
Cited by
2,053
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 115 · 2025: 93 · 2024: 111 · 2023: 89 · 2022: 101 · 2021: 122 · 2020: 96 · 2019: 98 · 2018: 86 · 2017: 90 · 2016: 102 · 2015: 100 · 2014: 86 · 2013: 80 · 2012: 74
FWCI
27.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Academy of Management Journal (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management and Organizational Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Comparative Analysis Research
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management › Management Theory and Practice
Keywords
configuration theory, organizational analysis, contingency theory, configurational approach

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