The role of professional control in the management of complex organizations

Abstract

The limitations of formal administrative controls in organizations performing complex production tasks have created the need for less obtrusive forms of management control. When formal administrative controls cannot cater to the unpredictability of complex work demands, one strategy is to employ "professionals" who have been trained to cope with these demands and whose behaviour is primarily controlled through social and self-control mechanisms. There is some question, however, as to the effectiveness of this strategy. There is evidence that integrating professionals into bureaucratic organizations creates the potential for a "clash of cultures". Conflict emerges when salaried professionals ..