Perspectiva sistémica y multinivel del análisis organizacionaluna aproximación conceptual y metodológica

Abstract

This work proposes an integrative theoretical framework of the isomorphism, hierarchisation and relative autonomy principles for the analysis of organizations. This integrative framework tries to overcome the classical view that analyses them as separate principles. For this purpose, the General System Theory (von Bertalanffy, 1968) and the Multilevel Organizational Theory (Klein & Kozlowski, 2000) can be related, thus proposing a multilevel theoretical framework that facilitates the operationalisation of the isomorphism, hierarchisation and relative autonomy principles. Besides, the article performs a critical analysis of single level perspectives, stressing the growing importance of emergent multilevel processes. Finally, the Multilevel Regression Analysis is described (Bryk & Raudenbush, 1992; De Leeuw & Kreft, 1986; Goldstein, 1995), and it is considered as an appropriate methodological strategy to examine the relationships among the multiple levels of the organizational system.