An Analysis of Organization Characteristics.

A report of a factor analysis of 38 measures of organization characteristics was obtained for 107 small metal working firms. Nine factors were derived and interpreted with reference to the results of other empirical studies. The results differ from those of other studies and there appears to be limited concensus across all studies. Factors which appear in three or more studies are: Organization size, formalization, centralization of authority, extent of technology, and standardization with reference to skills and product complexity. The failure of researchers to interpret? results more thoroughly seriously limits attempts to compare study results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]