Forskningsperspektiver på kirke og menighet som organisasjon. Kap. 4

Abstract

Understanding churches as organizations inevitably means borrowing models and premises from organizational theory (OT). This chapter outlines the basic assumptions underlying dominant perspectives in OT, enhancing the possibility for an informed utilization and exploration of the commonalities and diversities between religious and other organizations. It provides a framework for differing clusters of theories and review of some major research contributions of ecclesial and congregational organizations within each theoretical perspective or cluster. Lastly, the chapter addresses how and in which direction further research of church organizations might be developed, pointing at institutional pluralism, hybrid organizations and institutional work as prospective avenues for further exploration.