An organization (or organisation — see spelling differences) is a social arrangement which pursues collective goals, controls its own performance, and has a boundary separating it from its environment. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon.

In the social sciences, organizations are the object of analysis for a number of disciplines, such as sociology, economics, political science, psychology, management, and organizational communication. In more specific contexts, particularly for sociologists, the term "institution" may be preferred. The broader analysis of organizations is commonly referred to as organizational studies, organizational behavior or organization analysis. A number of different theories and perspectives exist, some of which are compatible,

• Organization – process-related: an entity is being (re-)organized (organization as task or action).
• Organization – functional: organization as a function of how entities like businesses or state authorities are used (organization as a permanent structure).
• Organization – institutional: an entity is an organization (organization as an actual purposeful structure within a social context)