Action theory is a sociological perspective that focuses on the individual as a subject. Action theory views social action as something purposively shaped by individuals within a context to which they have given meaning. Action theory approach has its foundations in Max Weber's interpretive theory, which claims that it is necessary to know the subjective purpose and intent of the actor before an observer can understand the meaning of social action. Sociologists who focus on Action Theory tend to treat the individual as an autonomous subject, rather than as constrained by social structure and culture.
In action theory, the individual is seen as exercising agency, giving meaning to objects and events and acting with intent. Max Weber insisted on the power of society and historical context in giving shape to human action, some sociologists adopting action theory have been accused of neglecting the influence of social structure and culture on people's behavior. Social action theory is a good pointer into the understanding the thoughts in management, most especially production management.
The Creativity of Action.
- Joas, Hans. Translated by Jeremy Gaines and Paul Keast.
Hans Joas is one of the foremost social theorists in Germany. Based on Joas's
celebrated study of George Herbert Mead, this work
reevaluates the contribution of American pragmatism and European philosophical
anthropology to action theory in the social sciences.
Joas elaborates some implications of his model for theories of social movement and activism and social change and for the status of action theory in
sociology in the face of competition from theories advanced by Luhmann and Jurgen Habermas.
Rational action theory for sociology.
John H. Goldthorpe.
Abstract: Rational action theory is not a highly unified intellectual entity. Varieties of rational action theory are distinguished in terms of three criteria:
i.e. according to whether they (i) have strong rather than weak rationality requirements;
(ii) focus on situational rather than procedural rationality; (iii) claim to provide a
general rather than a special theory of action.
Management
Thoughts: The Review of Social Action Theory
Godwin Oyedokun, Abstract: Sociology is
not confined to study of social action alone; it studies certain other factors
as well. The basic fact is that social action is that action that is social in
nature and in so far as by virtue of the subjective meaning attached to it by
acting individual, it takes account of the behaviour of others and is thereby
oriented in its course. This study assessed the social action theory
with respect to the four factors underpinning the theory. Social action theory
gives researchers better understanding of actions behind human behaviour, which
may be traditional, affective, value or rational.
Application of
the social action theory to understand factors associated with risky sexual
behavior among individuals in residential substance abuse treatment.
Reynolds EK, Magidson JF, Bornovalova MA, Gwadz M, Ewart CK, Daughters SB,
Lejuez CW.
Abstract: Using the
social action theory, an integrative systems model of sociocognitive,
motivational, and environmental influences, as a guiding framework, the current
study examined (1) environmental influences, (2) psychopathology and affect, (3)
HIV-related attitudes and knowledge, and (4) self-regulatory skills/deficits as
factors associated with event-level condom use (CU) among a sample of 156
substance users residing at a residential substance abuse treatment center (M
age = 41.85; SD = 8.59; 75% male).