ABSTRACT
Organizational studies draw on theories from a variety of other disciplines, including sociology, psychology, education, and business frameworks. This chapter explores several theories that have been used frequently in the study of organizations, including sensemaking theory, organizational ambidexterity, and organizational learning theory, although these theories may be rooted in other disciplines as well. Sensemaking theory is focused on how individuals interpret messages, information, disruptions, ambiguities, and uncertainties in their environments, and how those interpretations shape organizational structure and practices. Organizational ambidexterity describes an organizational state in which an organization is able to manage the conflicting pressures of innovation and efficiency. Organizational learning theory examines how organizations make inferences from past behavior and historical organizational context to guide current organizational behavior. Each of these frameworks can support organizational researchers in understanding how organizations change or stagnate, and how individuals shape and are shaped by organizational structure and practice.
