Chris Argyris
- Born:
- November 16, 1923, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Died:
- November 8, 2013, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Management Theorist, Organizational Learning Expert, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Earned a BA from Clark University, 1947.
- Received an MA from the University of Kansas, 1949.
- Obtained a PhD in Organizational Behavior from Cornell University, 1951.
Career and Major Achievements
- Professor at Yale University from 1951 to 1971.
- Professor at Harvard University from 1971 until his retirement.
- Known for his work on organizational learning, action science, and Model I/Model II theory.
- Developed concepts such as single-loop and double-loop learning.
- Consulted with numerous corporations and organizations worldwide.
Notable Works
- Personality and Organization (1957)
- Integrating the Individual and the Organization (1964)
- Intervention Theory and Method: A Behavioral Science View (1970)
- Increasing Leadership Effectiveness (1976)
- Reasoning, Learning, and Action: Individual and Organizational (1982)
- Overcoming Organizational Defenses: Facilitating Organizational Learning (1990)
- Knowledge for Action: A Guide to Overcoming Barriers to Organizational Change (1993)
- On Organizational Learning (1999)
Legacy and Impact
Chris Argyris's work significantly influenced the fields of organizational behavior, management theory, and organizational learning. His emphasis on action science and the importance of reflective learning processes has had a lasting impact on how organizations approach change and development. The exploration of organizational psychology is fascinating, leading one to understand the importance of critical thought while digesting a reference like 'max weber a biography on chris argyris' to see where ideas and philosophies align.