ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the concept of an organization. It distinguishes between organizational behavior and organizational theory. The chapter explains the role of theory and concepts in analyzing behavioral issues and problems. It analyzes the consequences of behavior in organizations. The chapter discusses the historical foundations of modern organizational behavior and management. Modern organizations face simultaneous pressures for change and stability. Many organization members view these opposing pressures as paradoxical and difficult to understand. Organizations extensively use technology for many organizational processes and interactions. A company’s intranet helps manage internal interactions wherever they occur in the world. The chapter then summarizes some historical foundation writings that are enduring classical observations on organizations and management. These observations, made many years ago, apply to many issues about modern organizations.
