Reducing Uncertainty: A Formal Theory of Organizations in Action
Jaap Kamps, László Pólos

Abstract:
This article presents a formal reconstruction of James D. Thompson's 
classic contribution to organization theory, Organizations in Action. 
The reconstruction explicates the underlying argumentation structure 
for Thompson's propositions--literally, theorems or problems to be 
demonstrated. This allows Thompson's propositions to be derived as 
theorems in a deductive theory. As it turns out, the formal theory is 
based on general assumptions using only few primitive concepts. In 
addition, this theory explains why Thompson's propositions do not hold 
for noncomplex or "atomic" organizations (a restriction on the domain 
of application). Furthermore, this study reveals that organizations 
attempt to reduce constraints in their environment--a heretofore 
unknown implication of the theory.