The below book extract contributes to the volume 'Configurational Theory and Methods in Organisational Research' Research in the Sociology of Organisations. This chapter focuses on the conceptual and methodological contributions of a configurational approach to organisation design.

Although much work in configurational analysis (CA) has been descriptive, the way in which organisational forms are described in configurational analysis is conducive to contributing significantly to a (much called for) renewal of organisation design (OD).

To distinguish and develop these implications of configurational analycis, the chapter revisits the configurational elements already present in classic approaches to organisation design, especially in structural contingency theory (SCT) and in more recent and economic approaches such as transaction cost economics (TCE) and complementarity-based approaches.

This excursus leads to disclosing greater continuity and knowledge accumulation with respect to earlier organisation theory than formerly acknowledged.

A full version of the chapter is now available. Let us know what you think in the comments box below.