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Planning or organizing: The implications of theories of activity for management of operations

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  • Johnston, R. B.
  • Brennan, M.

Abstract

In this paper we examine a dominant approach to management at the operations level which we refer to as management-as-planning. Our contention is that this approach to operations management rests on an implicit assumption of the plausibility of a particular theory of the nature of on-going, purposeful activity, the planning model of activity, which we describe in detail in order to draw out its underlying assumptions. We present three examples of the management-as-planning approach from the diverse settings of robotics, manufacturing production management and public sector policy formation and conclude that many of the assumptions of the planning model of activity cannot be satisfied in realistic environments. There is a need to found management at the operations level on a more realistic conception of the nature of purposeful activity which is currently being articulated in the fields of cognitive science and social theory. This change of view leads to a new approach to the nature operations management which we call management-as-organizing. The beginnnings of this new approach at work can be discerned in three examples of counter approaches in use in the same three areas studied.

Suggested Citation

  • Johnston, R. B. & Brennan, M., 1996. "Planning or organizing: The implications of theories of activity for management of operations," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 24(4), pages 367-384, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jomega:v:24:y:1996:i:4:p:367-384
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ang, J. S. K. & Sum, C. C. & Yang, K. K., 1994. "MRP II company profile and implementation problems: A Singapore experience," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 34(1), pages 35-45, February.
    2. Hofstede, Geert, 1981. "Management control of public and not-for-profit activities," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 193-211, July.
    3. Sum, C-C & Yang, K-K, 1993. "A study on manufacturing resource planning (MRP II) practices in Singapore," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 21(2), pages 187-197, March.
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    1. Fernanda Saidelles Bataglin & Daniela Dietz Viana & Carlos Torres Formoso, 2022. "Design Principles and Prescriptions for Planning and Controlling Engineer-to-Order Industrialized Building Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    2. Ala-Risku, Timo & Karkkainen, Mikko, 2006. "Material delivery problems in construction projects: A possible solution," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(1), pages 19-29, November.
    3. Magalhães, Rodrigo, 2011. "Infrastructure and Infrastructuring as a Bridge Between Information Systems Design and Organization Design," Spatial and Organizational Dynamics Discussion Papers 2011-6, CIEO-Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics, University of Algarve.

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