Abstract
This study examines the extent to which formal organization theory developed from the analysis of work organizations is applicable to a voluntary social service organization. The specific concepts included in the study were: effectiveness, commitment, participation, and formal structures. Eleven hypotheses are developed to test the relationships between the variables created to represent these concepts. Data to test the hypotheses was collected from the participants of a voluntary organization involved in food distribution. The methodology used to test the hypotheses included the construction of scale based variables and Pearsons correlation and regression analysis. Some of the findings were consistent with the predictions in the literature and the stated hypotheses, some were not. Specifically, the two structural variables, formalization and decision making, failed to predict organization outcomes, member's commitment, and degree of participation. The third structural variable, autonomy, was consistent with the predicted hypotheses. The commitment findings also were consistent with the predicted results. Participation received only partial support from the analysis.
Torres, Cruz Coronado (1987). Examining the applicability of formal organizational theory on voluntary organizations. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -755009.