Formalization of the logic of appropriateness

Abstract

This thesis presents a theoretical investigation into March and Olsen's logic of appropriateness in organizational theory using methods from philosophical logic. The topic is formalization of the logic of appropriateness, and it focuses on the following research questions: (1) Which aspects of the logic of appropriateness should a logical-mathematical model aim at representing? (2) Is there a general logical-mathematical framework suitable for representing the features described in the answer to (1)? Applying the method of explication, it clarifies the relationship between the concepts involved in the logic of appropriateness, and develops one preliminary suggestion for a logical-mathematical model for the logic of appropriateness based on neighbourhood semantics. As part of the presentation of the logic of appropriateness, it also argues that the logic of appropriateness is fruitfully understood as a Weberian ideal type as opposed to, or in addition to, as empirical hypothesis.

It concludes with observations on how the model can be improved and questions for future research.