Contingency Theory

Contingency Theory

[Systems Perspective] How individuals &
groups gain power, access to resources, & control over their lives, often through collective action *Groups are open, dynamic systems with both change and conflict present
*Groups are stratified, with different and unequal levels of power and control
*High discrimination and low privilege equals low opportunity
*Oppression occurs when upward mobility is systematically denied
*The social context must be critiqued and deconstructed
*Assumptions for analyzing organizations:
–there is no best way to manage organizations
–there must be a match between the environment and internal resources
–the design of the organization must fit with the environment Weber
Scott Lawrence Lorsch March *Useful in macro practice through providing framework for community work on behalf of the powerless and stigmatized
*Provides assessment for identifying power blocks contributing to powerlessness
*Provides understanding of the objective & subjective dimensions of empowerment
*Useful in administering programs by requiring a review of the organizational- environmental fit *Explain & map the
direction & role of collective action
*Assess power blocks
*Build individual & community strengths
*Support upward mobility of oppressed groups
*Empower oppressed & vulnerable populations through collective action