The Organizing Dilemma: Individualism, Collectivism, and the Control of Organization

The organizing dilemma is a puzzle posed by the dual necessities of social organization and member self-interest. On one hand, modern societies are based on organization, a pattern of interaction which is maintained through member contributions to organizing processes. On the other hand, member self-interest directs attention away from organizational well-being and toward the welfare of that entity defined as "self." The definitions of self with organization members possess stem from childhood socialization, in which language and behaviors are learned that provide implicit self-definitions, and from subsequent acculturation in which self-definitions may be modified by new social information. Two major kinds of self-definition may be adopted. Individualism denotes a definition of self in which selves are defined as distinct individuals, while collectivism refers to a definition in which selves are defined as distinct groups. Depending on members' definitions of self, the organizing dilemma may exist between personal interests and organizational welfare, or between group interests and organizational well-being.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Business Administration

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Wagner, John A., Iii

• Business Administration, General

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8218579

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70440