Analyzing complex organizational arguments with logical model building

This chapter demonstrates the application of a qualitative formal method, logical formalization, to organization and management theory. After describing the rationale for the method comes a demonstration with examples based on extant pieces of formalization studies. Organizational arguments are usually phrased out in natural language in the first place. A substantial advantage of using symbolic logic over many branches of applied mathematics is that logical models can quite closely map the intended meaning of assertive sentences, while the deduction of conclusions can proceed with the rigor of mathematical proofs. The examples highlight how different logical languages, different dialects, can be used to the idiosyncrasies of the subject. The proof process and the translation from natural language statements to logical model are supported by user-friendly theorem-prover softwares. The appliers of the method need not be logic experts; they need analytical skills, sharp eyes at formula evaluation, and some stamina. The promise of using symbolic logic is combining the flexibility of qualitative reasoning with exactness in drawing conclusions from complex arguments. The chapter is to show how and in which extent logical formalization can fulfil this promise.