Multiple Paradigms and Organizational Analysis: A Case Study

The paper describes a new methodology for organizational analysis, multiple paradigm research. A case study is presented which uses the Burrell and Morgan (1979) model as the framework for producing four accounts of work behaviour in the British Fire Service. Details of these accounts — functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist and radical structuralist — are presented, and the findings compared. Some problems associated with the method are discussed.