Critical Management Studies
01 Oct 1993-Journal of the Operational Research Society (Palgrave Macmillan UK)-Vol. 44, Iss: 10, pp 1059-1060
TL;DR: This paper reviews CMS’s progress, main themes, theoretical and epistemological premises, and main projects; it also identifies some problems Tight_G_UN#_Master.indd.
Abstract: Critical management studies (CMS) offers a range of alternatives to mainstream management theory with a view to radically transforming management practice. The common core is deep skepticism regarding the moral defensibility and the social and ecological sustainability of prevailing conceptions and forms of management and organization. CMS’s motivating concern is neither the personal failures of individual managers nor the poor management of specific firms, but the social injustice and environmental destructiveness of the broader social and economic systems that these managers and firms serve and reproduce. This paper reviews CMS’s progress, main themes, theoretical and epistemological premises, and main projects; we also identify some problems Tight_G_UN#_Master.indd 1 8/1/07 10:02:33 AM 2 • LeftRunningHead © 2007 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC and make some proposals. Our aim is to provide an accessible overview of a growing movement in management studies.
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TL;DR: A set of principles for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive field research in information systems is proposed, along with their philosophical rationale, and the usefulness of the principles is illustrated by evaluating three publishedinterpretive field studies drawn from the IS research literature.
Abstract: This article discusses the conduct and evaluatoin of interpretive research in information systems. While the conventions for evaluating information systems case studies conducted according to the natural science model of social science are now widely accepted, this is not the case for interpretive field studies. A set of principles for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive field research in information systems is proposed, along with their philosophical rationale. The usefulness of the principles is illustrated by evaluating three published interpretive field studies drawn from the IS research literature. The intention of the paper is to further reflect and debate on the important subject of grounding interpretive research methodology.
5,588 citations
Cites background from "Critical Management Studies"
...Rather than merely accept the words of the CEO, however, Walsham and Waema exhibit suspicion by considering the views of other staff....
[...]
TL;DR: This editorial column is encouraging scholars to submit their qualitative research to the Academy of Man and encouraged Bob Gephart to provide a bit of a minitutorial-complete with reference citations and examples of high-quality papers that use particular qualitative approaches-in addition to his observations about qualitative research submitted to AMI
Abstract: Editor's note: For this issue's \"From the Editors,\" I invited Robert Gephart of the University of Al-berta to reflect on his observations as a long-serving , award-winning reviewer of qualitative research for A!vII Over the past two and a half years, I have developed a tremendous respect for Bob's keen eye for evaluating qualitative research submissions , and great admiration for the painstaking advice he provides authors about how to improve their work. As a world-renowned qualitative author himself, Bob is in an excellent position to provide observations about how authors might increase the chances of having their qualitative research accepted for publication at AMI In a three-way electronic mail conversation about the challenges and opportunities of qualitative research , Bob, Tom Lee, and I all concluded that many authors with potentially very interesting data sets don't seem to know how to analyze them to their full potential. This is perhaps not surprising, gi ven the clear predominance of quantitative methods and statistics courses over qualitative ones, particularly in North America, as well as the inherently greater subjectivity involved in designing and analyzing qualitative research. As such, we encouraged Bob to provide a bit of a minitutorial-complete with reference citations and examples of high-quality papers that use particular qualitative approaches-in addition to his observations about qualitative research submitted to AMI The result is a longer-than-usual \"From the Edi-tors\" column. but one that we believe is well worth the extra reading time for anyone interested in producing , reviewing, or attempting to coax greater insights from qualitative research. We are fortunate to have someone with Bob's expertise share his observations, and we hope that his thoughts will prove useful to researchers for many years to come. Sara Rynes Incoming Editor I am thankful to Sara for inviting me to write this editorial column encouraging scholars to submit their qualitative research to the Academy of Man-I wish to thank Torn Lee and Sara Rynes for their helpful comments and encouragement in preparing this editorial. 454 agement Journal. Qualitative research is important to AMI Qualitative research is actively sought and supported by the Journal, its editors, and its editorial review board. Alv1Jhas published many qualitative papers. The coveted A/'v1jBest Article Award has been won by three qualitative papers-Gersick (1989), Isabella (1990), and Dutton and Duckerich (1991)-and by one paper that combined qualitative and quantitative methods: Sutton and Rafuclli, (1988). Despite these successes, most …
1,335 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the highlights of two emerging viewpoints on work design: relational perspectives and proactive perspectives, focusing on how jobs, roles, and tasks are more socially embedded than ever before, based on increases in interdependence and interactions with coworkers and service recipients.
Abstract: Many scholars assume that the fundamental questions about work design have been answered. However, a global shift from manufacturing economies to service and knowledge economies has dramatically altered the nature of work in organizations. To keep pace with these important and rapid changes, work design theory and research is undergoing a transformation. We trace the highlights of two emerging viewpoints on work design: relational perspectives and proactive perspectives. Relational perspectives focus on how jobs, roles, and tasks are more socially embedded than ever before, based on increases in interdependence and interactions with coworkers and service recipients. Proactive perspectives capture the growing importance of employees taking initiative to anticipate and create changes in how work is performed, based on increases in uncertainty and dynamism. Together, these two perspectives challenge the widely held belief that new developments in work design theory and research are no longer needed....
984 citations
TL;DR: A new perspective to the study of communication richness in computer mediated communication, critical social theory (CST), is introduced and an intensive investigation of an episode of the managerial use of electronic mail in a company is used to illustrate how research on communication richness can be conducted from the CST perspective.
Abstract: Information Richness Theory (IRT) has enjoyed acceptance by information systems researchers throughout the last decade, but recent unfavorable empirical evidence has precipitated a shift away from it and a search for a new theory. Because of this shift, a new definition of communication richness is needed to succeed the IRT definition. Since its inception, IS research on communication richness has been limited to the perspective of positivism and, more recently, interpretivism. In this study, a new perspective to the study of communication richness in computer mediated communication, critical social theory (CST), is introduced. This paper outlines (1) a CST-based definition of communication richness and compares it with positivist and interpretivist definitions of communication richness and (2) a CST-based social action framework for empirical study of organizational communication in any media use situation. The CST definition and framework are used in an intensive investigation of an episode of the managerial use of electronic mail in a company to illustrate how research on communication richness can be conducted from the CST perspective. This illustration also points out the usefulness of the CST perspective in recognizing instances of communication richness in electronic mail communications that would escape detection in not just the IRT perspective in particular, but also positivist and interpretive perspectives in general. Finally, the paper concludes by outlining the potential for future IS research on organizational communication and information technology from the CST perspective. In addition to the specific contribution to the development of a new theory of communication richness in electronic media, this study also contributes an example of CST research on IS and extends the domain of the CST-IS research program.
861 citations
01 Apr 2009
TL;DR: The authors argue that critical management studies (CMS) should be conceptualized as a profoundly performative project, and suggest a range of tactics including affirming ambiguity, working with mysteries, applied communicative action, exploring heterotopias and engaging micro-emancipations.
Abstract: We argue that critical management studies (CMS) should be conceptualized as a profoundly performative project. The central task of CMS should be to actively and pragmatically intervene in specific debates about management and encourage progressive forms of management. This involves CMS becoming affirmative, caring, pragmatic, potential focused, and normative. To do this, we suggest a range of tactics including affirming ambiguity, working with mysteries, applied communicative action, exploring heterotopias and engaging micro-emancipations.
576 citations
Cites background from "Critical Management Studies"
...It has a biannual conference, specialist conference streams, textbooks, and collections of classics (Adler et al., 2008)....
[...]
References
More filters
TL;DR: A set of principles for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive field research in information systems is proposed, along with their philosophical rationale, and the usefulness of the principles is illustrated by evaluating three publishedinterpretive field studies drawn from the IS research literature.
Abstract: This article discusses the conduct and evaluatoin of interpretive research in information systems. While the conventions for evaluating information systems case studies conducted according to the natural science model of social science are now widely accepted, this is not the case for interpretive field studies. A set of principles for the conduct and evaluation of interpretive field research in information systems is proposed, along with their philosophical rationale. The usefulness of the principles is illustrated by evaluating three published interpretive field studies drawn from the IS research literature. The intention of the paper is to further reflect and debate on the important subject of grounding interpretive research methodology.
5,588 citations
TL;DR: This editorial column is encouraging scholars to submit their qualitative research to the Academy of Man and encouraged Bob Gephart to provide a bit of a minitutorial-complete with reference citations and examples of high-quality papers that use particular qualitative approaches-in addition to his observations about qualitative research submitted to AMI
Abstract: Editor's note: For this issue's \"From the Editors,\" I invited Robert Gephart of the University of Al-berta to reflect on his observations as a long-serving , award-winning reviewer of qualitative research for A!vII Over the past two and a half years, I have developed a tremendous respect for Bob's keen eye for evaluating qualitative research submissions , and great admiration for the painstaking advice he provides authors about how to improve their work. As a world-renowned qualitative author himself, Bob is in an excellent position to provide observations about how authors might increase the chances of having their qualitative research accepted for publication at AMI In a three-way electronic mail conversation about the challenges and opportunities of qualitative research , Bob, Tom Lee, and I all concluded that many authors with potentially very interesting data sets don't seem to know how to analyze them to their full potential. This is perhaps not surprising, gi ven the clear predominance of quantitative methods and statistics courses over qualitative ones, particularly in North America, as well as the inherently greater subjectivity involved in designing and analyzing qualitative research. As such, we encouraged Bob to provide a bit of a minitutorial-complete with reference citations and examples of high-quality papers that use particular qualitative approaches-in addition to his observations about qualitative research submitted to AMI The result is a longer-than-usual \"From the Edi-tors\" column. but one that we believe is well worth the extra reading time for anyone interested in producing , reviewing, or attempting to coax greater insights from qualitative research. We are fortunate to have someone with Bob's expertise share his observations, and we hope that his thoughts will prove useful to researchers for many years to come. Sara Rynes Incoming Editor I am thankful to Sara for inviting me to write this editorial column encouraging scholars to submit their qualitative research to the Academy of Man-I wish to thank Torn Lee and Sara Rynes for their helpful comments and encouragement in preparing this editorial. 454 agement Journal. Qualitative research is important to AMI Qualitative research is actively sought and supported by the Journal, its editors, and its editorial review board. Alv1Jhas published many qualitative papers. The coveted A/'v1jBest Article Award has been won by three qualitative papers-Gersick (1989), Isabella (1990), and Dutton and Duckerich (1991)-and by one paper that combined qualitative and quantitative methods: Sutton and Rafuclli, (1988). Despite these successes, most …
1,335 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors trace the highlights of two emerging viewpoints on work design: relational perspectives and proactive perspectives, focusing on how jobs, roles, and tasks are more socially embedded than ever before, based on increases in interdependence and interactions with coworkers and service recipients.
Abstract: Many scholars assume that the fundamental questions about work design have been answered. However, a global shift from manufacturing economies to service and knowledge economies has dramatically altered the nature of work in organizations. To keep pace with these important and rapid changes, work design theory and research is undergoing a transformation. We trace the highlights of two emerging viewpoints on work design: relational perspectives and proactive perspectives. Relational perspectives focus on how jobs, roles, and tasks are more socially embedded than ever before, based on increases in interdependence and interactions with coworkers and service recipients. Proactive perspectives capture the growing importance of employees taking initiative to anticipate and create changes in how work is performed, based on increases in uncertainty and dynamism. Together, these two perspectives challenge the widely held belief that new developments in work design theory and research are no longer needed....
984 citations
TL;DR: A new perspective to the study of communication richness in computer mediated communication, critical social theory (CST), is introduced and an intensive investigation of an episode of the managerial use of electronic mail in a company is used to illustrate how research on communication richness can be conducted from the CST perspective.
Abstract: Information Richness Theory (IRT) has enjoyed acceptance by information systems researchers throughout the last decade, but recent unfavorable empirical evidence has precipitated a shift away from it and a search for a new theory. Because of this shift, a new definition of communication richness is needed to succeed the IRT definition. Since its inception, IS research on communication richness has been limited to the perspective of positivism and, more recently, interpretivism. In this study, a new perspective to the study of communication richness in computer mediated communication, critical social theory (CST), is introduced. This paper outlines (1) a CST-based definition of communication richness and compares it with positivist and interpretivist definitions of communication richness and (2) a CST-based social action framework for empirical study of organizational communication in any media use situation. The CST definition and framework are used in an intensive investigation of an episode of the managerial use of electronic mail in a company to illustrate how research on communication richness can be conducted from the CST perspective. This illustration also points out the usefulness of the CST perspective in recognizing instances of communication richness in electronic mail communications that would escape detection in not just the IRT perspective in particular, but also positivist and interpretive perspectives in general. Finally, the paper concludes by outlining the potential for future IS research on organizational communication and information technology from the CST perspective. In addition to the specific contribution to the development of a new theory of communication richness in electronic media, this study also contributes an example of CST research on IS and extends the domain of the CST-IS research program.
861 citations
Book Chapter•
01 Jan 1992Abstract: Critical Theory and Management Studies - Mats Alvesson and Hugh Willmott An Introduction Disciplinary Power in the Modern Corporation - Stanley Deetz Critical Ethnography - John Forester On Fieldwork in a Habermasian Way The Organization of Pleasure - Gibson Burrell Technical, Practical and Critical O.R. - Past, Present and Future? - John Mingers Critical Theory and Accounting - Michael Power and Richard Laughlin Marketing Discourse and Practice - Glenn Morgan Towards a Critical Analysis Information Systems and Critical Theory - Kalle Lyytinen Personnel/Organization Psychology - Brian D Steffy and Andrew J Grimes A Critique of the Discipline Critical Social Science for Managers? Promising Perverse Possibilities - Walter R Nord and John M Jermier
733 citations