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Management Theories

Contingency Theory

Also Known As Contingency approach

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An organizational theory holding that there is no single best way to organize a corporation, lead a company, or make decisions; the most effective approach instead depends on the situation.

Facts
Core Claim
There is no single best way to organize, lead or decide; the optimal course of action is contingent on the internal and external situation an organization actually faces. 1
Origin Year
1958 1
Cross-Tradition Connections

Developed By

Fred Fiedler, Founders, Executives and Management Thinkers

One of several key developers of contingency theory named by the entity's own cited source; Joan Woodward, also named there for the technology-determines-structure strand, is not yet a business-figure entity here.

Source Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
Sources
1. Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
WikipediaLead section
Quote, Lead section
A contingency theory is an organizational theory that claims that there is no best way to organize a corporation, to lead a company, or to make decisions.
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1. Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
WikipediaCore principle section
Quote, Core principle section
The optimal course of action is contingent (dependent) upon the internal and external situation.
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1. Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
WikipediaKey developers section, Joan Woodward
Quote, Key developers section, Joan Woodward
technologies directly determine differences in such organizational attributes as span of control, centralization of authority, and the formalization of rules and procedure
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1. Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
WikipediaKey developers section, Fred Fiedler
Quote, Key developers section, Fred Fiedler
Fred Fiedler (1993): Developed Fiedler's contingency model of leadership, focusing on how leader personality and situational favorableness determine effectiveness
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1. Wikipedia, Contingency Theory
WikipediaHistory section
Quote, History section
the contingency approach to leadership
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