---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Organizational theorists, at least since…"
description: "\"“Organizational theorists, at least since Burns and Stalker, 1961 and Joan Woodward, 1965 in what came to be called the contingency school, have recogn..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/charles-perrow-227068_centralization_organizational-theorists-at-least-since_50795.jpg"
---

#  Organizational theorists, at least since Burns and…

![“Organizational theorists, at least since Burns and Stalker, 1961 and Joan Woodward, 1965 in what came to be called the contingency school, have recognized that centralization is appropriate for organizations with routine tasks, and decentralization for those with nonroutine tasks.” quote by Charles Perrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/charles-perrow-227068_centralization_organizational-theorists-at-least-since_50795.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/charles-perrow-227068_centralization_organizational-theorists-at-least-since_50795.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fae/charles-perrow-227068_centralization_organizational-theorists-at-least-since_50795.jpg)

> ““Organizational theorists, at least since Burns and Stalker, 1961 and Joan Woodward, 1965 in what came to be called the contingency school, have recognized that centralization is appropriate for organizations with routine tasks, and decentralization for those with nonroutine tasks.””

[Charles Perrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-perrow/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Centralization fits routine tasks, while decentralization suits non‑routine tasks, per contingency theory.

**In simple terms:** Centralize routine, decentralize non‑routine.

Key Takeaway

Match structure to task type.

Themes

organizational design centralization decentralization contingency theory efficiency

Mood

analytical practical

Type

Centralization:1 Centralization Appropriate:1 Contingency School:1 Organizational Theorists:0 Recognized Centralization:0

When to use this quote

- manufacturing
- software development
- service industries

Key Concepts

management strategy task analysis organizational behavior

Questions to Reflect On

- When should an organization shift structures?
- What are the risks of mis‑alignment?

A Different Perspective

Rigid structures can reduce flexibility.

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[Centralization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centralization/) [Centralization Appropriate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/centralization-appropriate-723498/) [Contingency School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contingency-school-723500/) [Organizational Theorists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organizational-theorists-723502/) [Recognized Centralization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recognized-centralization-723503/)

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