This essay focuses on two perspectives; modernist and postmodernist, each have their own interpretation of theories. They are analyzed in terms of power, conflict and control, physical and social organization structure, organization culture and their relationship with the environment. The theoretical framework will provide clear differences of the two perspectives whereas the analysis on Apple will provide a more comprehensive understanding on the application of theories from each perspective.
PART A: METHODOLOGICAL AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
A set of different basic assumption is crucial to identify the differences between the two perspectives which contribute to different understanding of an organization and organizing. Ontology deals with the assumption in relation to reality and study both subjectivists and objectivist standpoint on reality. Epistemology is interested on how an individual generate knowledge and the criteria to weigh its validity (Bracken 2010).
Organization theory is a field of study whereby organizations serve as the phenomenon of interest for theorization and explanation whereas methodological approach is the experimenting of data or “reality”.
Modernist Perspective
Objectivism is the ontological framework behind modernism whereby unadulterated inscription of reality is regardless of an individual knowledge of its existence. Whereas, positivism is the epistemological framework behind modernism whereby the truth is rationally tested and examined against the objective reality which provides a precise and objective foundation for knowledge (Uba 2002).
A modernist perspective views an organization as objectively real entities and seeks to ascertain the fundamental theory of truth that governs and formulate the idea of organizations. The discovery of truth assists in attaining goals and verifying the validity of a modernist “knowledge” through deductive approach. Deductive approach aid organization in operating more