Author(s)

Xingran Liu

Corresponding Author

Xingran Liu

ABSTRACT

As a classical management theory, contingency theory is constantly developing and changing in today's globalized society. Contingency theory plays a guiding role in management practice in reality, and management practice enriches and improves contingency theory. The definition of contingency management theory could be concluded as the more fitting the contingency variables are, the better the organizational performance is, which is ‘one best way to organize’. Then, the paper illustrated the brief history of contingency theory and its development. This paper also introduces the three famous scholars in the field of contingency theory, which are represented by Tom Burns and George Macpherson Stalker, Paul Roger Lawrence and Jay William Lorsch, and Fred Luthans and Todd Stewart. The changing world environment requires double changes in management theory and practice. As one of important management theories, contingency theory can guide practice and management practice can enrich and improve contingency theory.

KEYWORDS

Contingency theory, definition, history & development, review