Manuscript by Charles Handy exploring instrumentalism and reductionism, and the way in which organizations must pursue a shared conviction in purpose and methods to succeed. Handy begins the manuscript describing how instrumentalism and reductionism have been the chronic sins of modern times, which have turned the organization into a prison for the human spirit. Handy identifies instrumentalism as the underlying premise of Anglo-American capitalism, with the route to productivity being half as many people, paid twice as much, producing three times as much. In reductionism, organizations break themselves down into specializations and then combine them again to achieve their desired result. Handy argues that knowledge and applied intelligence are now the keys to added value, and make up the new property. Therefore, instrumentalism and reductionism will no longer work in the new workforce. In the new organizations, according to Handy, the only thing that will hold an organization together will be its shared sense of purpose and methods.
Handy, Charles B Instrumentalism (Philosophy) Reductionism London Business School Taylor, F. W Boeing Aerospace Company Microsoft Corporation Gates, Bill, 1955- Marx, Karl, 1818-1883 Catholic Church Harvard Business School Press
Source
Manuscript by Charles Handy exploring instrumentalism and reductionism, and the way in which organizations must pursue a shared conviction in purpose and methods to succeed; Charles Handy Papers; Box 17, Folder 16; 8 pages
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