A Theoretical Analysis of the Morro Castle

Authors

  • Jonelle Lynn Ulrich University of Saskatchewan
  • Jonelle Lynn Ulrich University of Saskatchewan

Abstract

This paper studies the historical shipwreck, The Morro Castle, and the many reasons for its impending doom.  A comparison is made between the organizational mishaps on board this sea vessel and how it relates to schools as organizations today.  The paper outlines three main problems:  bureaucratic corruption, poor leadership, and unethical behavior—all of which could be present in schools and could in turn cause dysfunction for students, teachers, and society as a whole.  Organizational theorists are examined in order to better understand the fate of the Morro Castle and the lessons to be learned for educators of today’s youth.

Author Biographies

  • Jonelle Lynn Ulrich, University of Saskatchewan
    Graduate Student in Educational Administration and Elementary Vice Principal
  • Jonelle Lynn Ulrich, University of Saskatchewan
    Vice Principal and Graduate Student in Educational Administration

References

Appelbaum, S. H., & Shapiro, B. T. (2006). Diagnosis and remedies for deviant workplace behaviors. Journal of American Academy of Business, 9(2), 14–20.

Fayol, H. (1916/2011). General principles of management. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 52–62). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Follett, M. P. (1926/2011). The giving of orders. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 156–161). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Janis, I. L. (1971/2011). Groupthink: the desperate drive for consensus at any cost. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 189–196). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Jaques, E. (1990/2005). In praise of hierarchy. Harvard Business Review, 68(1), 127–133.

McGregor, D. (1957/2011). The human side of enterprise. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 183–188). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

McFee, W. (1950). The peculiar fate of the Morro Castle. In I. Leighton (Ed.), The aspirin age (pp. 313–338). London: The Bodley Head.

Pfeffer, J. (1981/2011). Understanding the role of power in decision making. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 277–290). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Shein, E. H. (2004/2011). The concept of organizational culture: why bother? In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 349–360). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Taylor, F. W. (1916/2011). Principles of scientific management. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 65–76). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Weber, M. (1946/2011). Bureaucracy. In J.M. Shafitz, J.S. Ott, & S.J. Yong (Eds.), Classics of organizational theory (7th ed., pp. 77–82). Boston, MA: Wadsworth.

Downloads

Published

2016-04-26

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 1 (2016): Special Themed Issue: Canadian History of Education

Section

Reflection Essay

License

Copyright Notice

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

2. Authors are able to enter separate, additional contractual agreements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in an institutional repository or on their website) prior and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access)

4. Please note that while every opportunity will be taken to ensure author participation in the editing process, due to time constraints final copyediting changes may be made before publication to ensure APA adherence throughout all submissions.