A considerable amount of empirical research attempting to discover the link between contextual variables and various structural aspects of organizations. They wanted to know how variables such as origin, ownership, size, charter, technology, market, location, and dependence correlated with internal factors like specialization, standardization, formalization, and centralization.
Increased size seemed to bring about decreased centralization but increased structuring of activities (standardization, specialization, and formalization). It follows that size is a very significant variable that managers need to take into account when designing organization structures.
(Jackson, (2000) Systems Approaches to Management, Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers. NY. P113)
The type of structure one should choose for an organization, to get maximum efficiency, will depend on the kind of technology employed to bring about the transformation process. Obviously, the "one best way" traditional approach was not being applied. Furthermore, there seemed to be no connection between business success and what traditional theory considered to be the best organizational structure.
The role of human beings in organizations is accorded a special status within most contemporary theories of management. Individuals are seen to possess certain needs that must be satisfied if they are to be attracted and encouraged to stay within the organization and if they are to be motivated to give of their best.
