This is a new edition of Sandra Dawson's successful introductory textbook for students, in engineering, business studies, marketing, accounting, administration, and management who would like to improve their understanding of organizations. Fully revised and updated and assuming no prior knowledge of the subject, the book presents illustrated examples drawn from the author's research and industrial consultancy to identify and discuss organizations in terms of five key characteristics—people, interest groups, structure and culture, technology, and the environment—and the processes of power and conflict, communication, decision-making and implementation that define an organization.