Standardizing Civil Society

Interpreting organizational development in the tension between instrumentalism and expressivism

Ola Segnestam Larsson

This book focuses on empirical phenomenon of organizational development, which seems to be trusted as the solution to many problems in civil society and the key to ‘the good society’. But can organizational development fulfil such expectations?

As civil society becomes increasingly prominent in local struggles, national debates, and international politics, scholars are paying attention to how it should be promoted and developed. One approach deployed to foster a vibrant civil society is organizational development. In addition to improved project and organizational performance, it is believed that more and better organizing will promote desirable qualities inherent in civil society and therefore the development of a good society.

In this book the author questions if organizational development within civil society can fulfil such expectations. Drawing on institutional theory and studies of cooperation among trade unions, faith-based organizations, and organizations of people with disabilities, he argues that organizational development of civil society organizations was never meant for implementation. Instead it serves more as a legitimacy device for the involved actors in addition to protecting organizational praxis from conflicting internal and external demands.

Furthermore he asks if the basic values of civil society are not in fact endangered by organizational development. Rather than producing stronger civil societies, he argues that the practice of organizational development could lead to a reduction in experimentation, a convergence of organizational expressions, and an instrumentalization of civil society.

Boken framställs i takt med beställning. Leveranstid: 5–7 arbetsdagar.

The book is printed on demand. Please allow 5–7 business days for delivery.