Roberts, Kenneth John (1989) The church as a local organisation : a comparative case study in the sociology of organisations. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This thesis uses a comparative case study as the means
for demonstrating how the policies and attitudes of
local churches are influenced by organisational factors. A
model based on open systems theory reveals that each
local church mediates and processes a variety of
environmental inputs. As a result, the inputs are converted
into outputs or products. The model, therefore, draws
attention to the relationship between the churches and
their environment and also to their internal structures
and processes.
In this instance a single input was followed
through 'the system'. This concerned the question of
the response of local churches to high levels of
unemployment, and associated socio-political issues. The
resultant data underlines how important for these
churches is their 'religious' environment, particularly
when it involves their parent denominations. The main
finding, however, is that the two churches investigated
were both able to mediate and modify environmental
inputs on unemployment. It is, therefore, the 'internal'
polities and organisational structures of local churches
which are of prime importance.
Despite the fact that these churches had different
polities, it was possible to discern in each case the
key interaction between formal and informal
organisational structures and processes, and how these
related to the position and activities of agents such
as the minister and lay leaders. It was found, in more
specific terms, that the most crucial influence on the
internal processes of these churches came from the
ministers.
The investigation required a fourteen-month period
of intensive fieldwork during which the writer was a
participant observer in both churches. Other methods
of data collection used included both structured and
unstructured interviews and the monitoring and analysis
of a wide range of secondary material.
The findings presented here are a contribution to
both the sociology of organisations and the sociology of
religion. They also illustrate the value of ethnographic
studies of the church in its manifestation as a local
organisation.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BR Christianity H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Church management -- Wales -- Case studies, Unemployment -- Religious aspects -- Free churches, Organizational sociology, Free churches -- Wales -- Case studies, Christian communities -- Free churches
Official Date:	April 1989
Dates:	Date Event April 1989 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Proctor, Ian
Sponsors:	Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC)
Extent:	iii, 286 leaves
Language:	eng

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