Mapping the possibilities of contingency theory in organization research : qualitative and quantitative analysis of two small lobbying organizations
Tutkin Pro Gradu-työssäni kahta lobbausorganisaatiota. Suoritin materiaalinkeruun
käyttämällä kyselylomaketta vuoden 2014 kevään ja syksyn aikana. Kuvailen materiaalin
avulla millaisia organisaatiot ovat ja miten ne toimivat. Lisäksi tutkin materiaalin avulla
niitä organisaatioiden ominaisuuksia, jotka vaikuttavat organisaatioiden differentiaatio- ja
integraatio tekijöihin. Päätän tutkimukseni analyysiin tärkeimmistä differentiaatio- ja
integraatiotekijöistä ja tutkin miten ne vaikuttavat organisaatioihin niiden kohdatessa
muutoksia toimintaympäristöissään.
Käytän tutkimuksessani kontingenssiteoriaa. Teoriaa ei ole käytetty kovinkaan paljoa
sosiologian tai sosiologisen organisaatiotutkimuksen saralla. Siksi luonkin myös lyhyen
katsauksen organisaatioteorioiden historiaan näyttääkseni mistä rakennuspalikoista
kontingenssiteoria on syntynyt. Tutkimuksessani omaksun Scottin (1998) näkemyksen
organisaatioista avoimina rationaalisina systeemeinä sekä Galbraithin (1973; 1977)
näkemyksen organisaatioiden informaation käsittelystä kapasiteetista. Avainkäsitteitä Pro
Gradu-työssäni ovat differentiaatio ja integraatio, organisaatioiden rakenteen sopivuus ja
organisaatioiden mukautuvuus rakenteellisen sopivuuden saavuttamiseksi.
Tutkimukseni aihe on relevantti kahdesta syystä. Ensinnäkin kumpikin organisaatioista on
pieni. Tarkoitukseni on tuoda lisää tietoa tutkimukseni kaltaisille pienille
lobbausorganisaatioille siitä miten ne voivat rakennemuutoksella vastata muuttuvan
toimintaympäristön vaatimuksiin. Toiseksi käyttämääni teoriaa ei ole käytetty
sosiologisessa organisaatiotutkimuksessa paljoa. Jos teoriaa on käytetty, on sitä käytetty
tulkittaessa suurta kvantitatiivista datamassaa. Käytän tutkimuksessani pääosin
kvalitatiivisia metodeja ja arvioin kontingenssiteorian käytettävyyttä tällaisen materiaalin
kanssa. Tämä on myös yksi tutkimuskysymyksistäni: Voiko kontigenssiteoriaa käyttää
tutkittaessa pieniä organisaatioita kvalitatiivisin metodein?
Lyhyesti sanottuna tarkoitusperäni ovat kahtalaiset: akateeminen ja ammatillinen.
Akateeminen tavoite on arvioida teorian käytettävyyttä kvalitatiivisessa tutkimuksessa.
Ammatillinen tavoite kumpuaa halustani toimia johtotehtävissä kolmannella sektorilla ja
pyrkiä tutkimukseni avulla kasvattamaan tietojani ja taitojani tulevaisuutta varten.
...
Making this thesis has been a long and rocky road. I’ve been working the whole time and
there has been many kinds of events during that time in my personal life also. This thesis
has been a getaway from the hectic life, but also a mountain which wanted to topple me
over time and time again. I first felt really good about taking a totally new theory to study
and work on. I still feel really good about doing it. I’ve learned a lot more than I thought
and I also broadened my view on how to think and study organizations.
Making this thesis has taken a bit longer than it usually takes to write a thesis. I appreciate the help and understanding I’ve gotten from all the instructors especially Tapio Litmanen.
My decision to take up a new theory and write my thesis about it must have been a really
“interesting” choice from their point of view also. I also feel that the whole Faculty of
Social Sciences of the University of Jyväskylä has a healthy understanding towards
students who work during their studies.
I also want to thank the whole Finnish University system. Without the free education
system I would have never been in a position to even write a thesis. Coming from a little
town in Lappland the whole experience of going to a University has opened a whole new
world of possibilities, career paths and meaningful relationships. Currently the whole free
education system is under attack and universities all over Finland are laying off people.
I’m thankful that I had the possibility to enjoy the best possible education during my time
in the University. I’m worried for the next generation.
It might have not been the best decision in view of my studies to join the numerous
organizations. I gave my little finger to the student movement and it took my whole soul
for quite a long time. I don’t regret it though. I’ve met awesome people who will be part of
me for the rest of my life. My studies may have suffered, but as you can see I’m working
towards graduation. Currently the whole free education system is under attack and
universities all over Finland are laying off people. I’m thankful that I had the possibility to enjoy the best possible education during my time in the University. I’m worried for the
next generation.
I also like to thank all the people who have supported me during the time I’ve been writing
this thesis. Janne, Otto, Christian, Petri and Jarno to name a few. You have given me good
advices in writing the thesis, but also good advices for the life outside the thesis also. My family has been very supportive too. Never have they pushed me too hard to do finish my
studies. I appreciate the understanding for my decision to work instead of finishing my
studies as fast as possible. I’d also like to thank the awesome people at the Student Union
of Aalto University. You have made it possible to write this thesis while working. Thank
you for your support!
The thesis wouldn’t have finished without coffee either. I’d like to thank Kaisan Café for
the good coffee and excellent pastries. They’ve got me through reading and writing needed
to finish this thesis.
I first stumbled upon contingency theory while reading a doctoral thesis written by Virpi
Turkulainen. Without free dissertation database and free archives of the Finnish
universities this thesis might have been written about something else. Maybe I would have
gotten away with less effort, but that would have also meant less learning.
Long live free education! Long live the Finnish student movement!
...
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