Resumen
AbstractAn impressive body of theory on organizational development, performance, strategy and structure has developed over the last two decades. Much of what we know stems from direct observation (usually in the form of case-studies), first-hand experience, and common sense. Yet surprisingly little attempt has been made to test the theories and provide an empirical base with which to confirm or reject the theories. This study suggests that the traditional theories of organizational development are vindicated - that firms develop from entrepreneurial, family companies in the first stage to professional management in later stages. Furthermore, an analysis of share-price movements suggests that single business family companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange do not perform as well as those which adopt more diversified strategies. This study builds on the small base of previous research, and hopefully makes a contribution to our knowledge both in the academic/teaching sphere of business policy, and in the area of organizational change.'n Indrukwekkende versameling van teorie oor organisasieontwikkeling, en die prestasie, strategie en struktuur van ondernemings is oor die afgelope twee dekades ontwikkel. Ons kennis het ontstaan uit direkte waarneming (gewoonlik in die vorm van gevallestudies), eie ervaring, en gesonde verstand. Tog is min pogings aangewend om die teoriee te toets en 'n empiriese basis te skep waarvolgens die teoriee bevestig of verwerp kan word. Hierdie studie stel voor dat die tradisionele teoriee van organisasie-ontwikkeling geregverdig is - dat firmas van entrepreneuriele familie-ondernemings in die eerste stadium, tot professionele bestuur in latere stadia ontwikkel. Verder dui 'n ontleding van aandeleprys-bewegings aan dat enkelbedryf familiemaatskappye op die Johannesburgse Aandelebeurs nie so goed vertoon as die wat meer gediversifiseerde strategiee aanvaar het nie. Hierdie studie bou voort op die klein basis van vorige navorsing, en maak hopelik 'n bydrae tot kennis sowel in die akademiese/onderrigsfeer van bestuursbeleid, as op die gebied van organisasieverandering.