Similarities, Connections, and Systems: The Search for a New Rationality for Planning and ManagementSince the early 1970s, the formal model of rational inquiry has come under increasing attack by scholars as well as practitioners in the business management, planning, and policy professions. Critics tell us that it ignores sentiments and emotions that are key to understanding professional practice. Yet, despite the attacks, there are few competitors for rationality and no usable alternative has emerged to take its place in the profession. Clearly a new practical paradigm is called for, and in this groundbreaking work, Niraj Verma goes beyond the criticism of rationality to present a bold alternative model of inquiry-a new rationality for the professions. Inspired by the work of pragmatist William James, Verma proposes a methodology that fuses the rational and the irrational to offer professionals an approach to inquiry that more completely examines all of the factors that impact the planning process in a practical, systematic way. An illuminating blend of philosophy, critique, and down-to-earth examples, Similarities, Connections, and Systems introduces a new, methodologically sound model of inquiry that aptly addresses the shortcomings of other models while remaining sensitive to the goals of professional practice. |
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Contents
Introduction The Problem of Rationality in the Professions | 1 |
The New Rationality and the Professions | 15 |
Rigor and Efficiency in Analytic Reasoning | 17 |
Comprehensiveness and Systemic Reasoning in Planning and Management | 41 |
Lessons from William James A Pragmatic Synthesis | 63 |
From Systems to Similarities | 83 |
Interconnections and Similarities | 85 |
Connecting Theories of the Firm Similarities in Practice | 106 |
The Method of Similarity A Purposive Rationality for Planning and Management | 127 |
Notes | 133 |
143 | |
153 | |
Common terms and phrases
alternative analysis analytic reason approach argument aspects become behavioral bring called chapter claim common complex comprehensiveness concepts concerns connected consequences consider consistency corporation cost critics decision demand describe distinction dominant economic efficiency elements emphasis empirical example exist facts firm functional gives goals hand Herbert Simon ideas important inquiry instance issue James James's Jamesian Kant kind knowledge laws lead logic look meaning ment metaphor method Michigan nature neoclassical notion objective once organization particularly perspective philosophy planning Poletown position possible poverty practical pragmatism problem production professional psychological question rationality reference class relation relevant rigor seen sentiment share shows similarities simple social solution Steel strategy structural suggests sustainable systemic reason task teleological tells term testing theory things tion tradition truth understanding writings