The Long and Thorny Way to an Organizational Taxonomy

This paper reviews major taxonomic studies in the literature and appears to demonstrate that organizations do indeed cluster in recognizable groups and that organizational scientists have indeed the meth odological and statistical tools to identify them.

Abstract

Under the assumption that a classification system is necessary for the advance ment of any scientific field, this paper reviews major taxonomic studies in the literature. Although each of these studies has certain limitations in terms of proposed guidelines for the development of a valid taxonomy of organizations, in the aggregate they appear to demonstrate that organizations do indeed cluster in recognizable groups and that organizational scientists have indeed the meth odological and statistical tools to identify them. Some general guidelines for future taxonomic studies are discussed, as well as possible reasons for the lack of research in this area.