Handbook of Organizations (RLE: Organizations)

CHAPTER 8	Mathematics and Organization Theory1
	WILLIAM H. STARBUCKPurdue University

I. INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the role of mathematics in the social sciences generally, and presents some mathematical techniques especially appropriate for analyzing organizational structures.

Part II attempts to explain what mathematics is, why mathematicians use the techniques they do, and what responsibilities are incurred when mathematical techniques are adopted. Then some considerations in applying mathematics in the social sciences are examined: the constraints imposed by the nature of mathematics, the constraints imposed by the kinds of mathematical techniques available, and the constraints imposed by the theorist's goals. Finally, ...