Abstract
The concept of ‘goal-seeking’ has had a powerful influence on thinking about organizations. Whilst the concept is undeniably useful it is argued that it is also a very narrow concept of organization which can limit the way in which we think about human decision making and action. Vickers’ idea of relationship-maintenance is reviewed as a richer concept to help us think about human activity systems such as organizations. The differences between goal-seeking and relationship-maintenance are explored and explained by reference to the different way in which the concept of ‘control,’ or ‘regulation,’ is incorporated within each.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 261-274 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Systemic Practice and Action Research |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2005 |
Keywords
- goal-seeking
- relationship-maintenance
- regulation
- appreciative system
- control