Meso · Groups & Organizations Stub 1972

Garbage Can Model of Organizational Choice

쓰레기통 모형

An organizational decision-making model positing that in "organized anarchies," choices result from temporal intersections of relatively independent streams: problems, solutions, participants, and choice opportunities.

Field Management · Political Science
Level of analysis Meso · Groups & Organizations
Paradigm Complexity Approach Institutionalism
Key figures 👤 Michael D. Cohen (마이클 코언) 👤 Johan P. Olsen (요한 올센)
Year 1972

Key Claims

Michael Cohen, James March, and Johan Olsen demonstrated that decision-making in ambiguous organizations does not follow linear rationality. Instead, organizations operate as ‘garbage cans’ where problems, pre-packaged solutions, shifting participants, and choice opportunities converge haphazardly in time.

Further Reading

  • Cohen, M. D., March, J. G., & Olsen, J. P. (1972). A garbage can model of organizational choice. Administrative Science Quarterly, 17(1), 1–25.

Related theories 2개

Theories pointing to this one 3개