Configurational Approaches to Organizational Analysis

Configurational theory and research can significantly advance understanding of people, groups, and organizations. Organizational configuration denotes any multidimensional constellation of conceptually distinct characteristics that commonly occur together. The history of configurational thinking is traced, and the theory is distinguished from the contingency approach. Key contributions of the 5 empirical articles that make up the 1993 Special Research Forum on Configurations are highlighted. The configurational perspective has unrealized potential at levels other than the organizational level of analysis. Configurational approaches to revitalizing theory and research at the individual and group levels are suggested.