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This article addresses the contributions of Eric Trist to the social sciences. Among his contributions to the literature are the formulation of sociotechnical systems theory; the conceptualization of self-directed work teams; the development of the notion of organizations as open systems in the context of environments with unique causal textures; the formulation of social ecology as a new field of inquiry; and the creation of processes for bringing about change on the individual, group, organizational, and interorganizational levels. Underlying all of his theoretical contributions is his innovative work with groups, organizations, and communities around the world, reflecting his commitment to social science that is socially engaged in the service of humanity.(1)
Eric Trist's work exemplifies his commitment to the social engagement of social science. His scientific contributions have been informed by an appreciation of the interdependence of theory and practice and by his clear intention to engage real and important problems in the service of society. Both through his lifelong development of an ecologically founded systems perspective and through the model of his own collaborative style of engagement, Trist offers scientifically grounded guidance for effectiveness in an increasingly interdependent world.
Trist would be the first to share credit with his many collaborators and eschew the idea of writing a piece that focused on his contributions to the field. Yet this is the task before us. In the history of management, we believe strongly that Trist's ideas and his work with organizations have had an impact at least as great as that of the most prominent figures in the field: Weber, Taylor, Lewin, and McGregor. His continuing active writing career spans over four decades and has produced such original ideas as sociotechnical systems theory, self-managing teams, assessment centers, the causal texture of organizational environments, social and organizational ecology, and intervention in interorganizational domains.
Although no explanation for Trist's uncanny knack for discerning the critical from the obvious is adequate, we start from the beginning in order to reconstruct the theoretical lineage of his ideas and to build a chronological record of his major contributions. In so doing, it will quickly become apparent that rather than focusing on a single idea, he chose to move on, continuously expanding his thinking and the field in the process. Even...