Bringing work back in

In this essay we argue that organization theory's effort to make sense of p ostbureaucratic organizing is hampered by a dearth of detailed studies of w ork. We review the history of organization theory to show that, in the past , studies of work provided an empirical foundation for theories of bureaucr acy, and explain how such research became marginalized or ignored. We then discuss methodological requirements for reintegrating work studies into org anization theory and indicate what the conceptual payoffs of such integrati on might be. These payoffs include breaking new conceptual ground, resolvin g theoretical puzzles, envisioning organizing processes, and revitalizing o ld concepts.