Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to apply Aristotle's theory of causation to the administrative realm in an attempt to provide the manager/student with a more complete basis for organizational analysis. The authors argue that the traditional approach to administrative case studies limits the manager's/student's perspective to the positivistic world view at the expense of a more encompassing perspective which can be achieved through the use of an Aristotelian approach. Aristotle's four-part theory of causation is juxtaposed with contemporary views of organizational ideology/philosophy, culture, climate and leadership, and staff or personnel. The Mazda automobile plant in Flat Rock, Michigan is provided as a sample case study to demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the Aristotelian method in organizational contexts.
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David Cruise Malloy is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Physical Activity at the University of Regina, Canada. He has recently completed his PhD. in Education (Educational Administration) at the University of Ottawa where his research focus was ethical decision making in administrative contexts.
Donald L. Lang, PhD. is the chief psychologist in the Directorate of Recruiting and Selection for Canadian Armed Forces. His research centres around the impact of values upon organizational commitment and motivation.
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Malloy, D.C., Lang, D.L. An Aristotelian approach to case study analysis. J Bus Ethics 12, 511–516 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00872372
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00872372