Contingency Theory

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the practicality of using the contingency theory as a management theory. The paper describes the contingency theory and when it would be useful and work well for use by a manager. The paper presents the advantages and disadvantages of the contingency theory and concludes that flexibility of leadership style is what primarily remains a key ingredient to management success.

Table of Contents:
Contingency Theory as Management Theory
Change Management Initiatives and Contingency Theory
Cost Efficacy
Recommendations

From the Paper:

"Contingency theory can provide a platform or paradigm for successful leadership, particularly in the global marketplace where the market remains volatile and ever changing. Given the right circumstances this style of leadership can help promote cost reduction if it takes into consideration the environmental and situational factors that drive organizational performance. However, there may be cases where a proven management or leadership style is more apt to facilitate communication and greater response rates. This is something that organizations must consider when evaluating the pros and cons of a particular management theory."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ashworth, M.J. & Carley, K.M. (2004). "Toward unified organization theory: Perspectives on the State of Computational modeling." 3, April 2004: http://www.casos.cs.cmu.edu/events/conferences/2004/2004_proceedings/Ashworth_NAACSOS_2004Paper.pdf
• Boschken, H. L. 1994. Organizational performance and multiple constituencies. Public Administration Review 54:308-12.
• "Contingency Theory." ChangingMinds.org. 3, April, 2006: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/theories/contingency_theory.htm
• Fiedler, F. (2004). "Contingency Theory." Value Based Management. 3, April, 2006: http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/theories/contingency_theory.htm
• Mailick, S. & Stumpf, S.A. (1998). Learning theory in the practice of management development: Evaluation and Applications. Westport: Quorum Books.

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• Term Paper # 29225 : "Contingency Theory of Organization"
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