This paper describes the Tri-Partite Theory of institutional change, which proposes that organizations in general and educational institutions in particular pass through three phases, each dominated by a specific personality type: person-orientation (loyalty to a charismatic leader as the basis of motivation); plan-orientation (functions…

This paper surveys the field of organization theory and its application to adult education agencies. The paper first defines organization theory (the study of the structure and functioning of organizations and the behavior of groups and individuals within them), and discusses its historical development. It then presents four emerging trends of…