Realist social theory : the morphogenetic approach
TL;DR: The Morphogenetic Cycle: the basis of the morphogenetic approach 7. Structural and cultural conditioning 8. The morphogenesis of agency 9. Social elaboration.
Abstract: Building on her seminal contribution to social theory in Culture and Agency, in this 1995 book Margaret Archer develops her morphogenetic approach, applying it to the problem of structure and agency. Since structure and agency constitute different levels of stratified social reality, each possesses distinctive emergent properties which are real and causally efficacious but irreducible to one another. The problem, therefore, is shown to be how to link the two rather than conflate them, as has been common theoretical practice. Realist Social Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach not only rejects methodological individualism and holism, but argues that the debate between them has been replaced by a new one, between elisionary theorising and emergentist theories based on a realist ontology of the social world. The morphogenetic approach is the sociological complement of transcendental realism, and together they provide a basis for non-conflationary theorizing which is also of direct utility to the practising social analyst.
Citations
More filters
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explore the definitions of CSR as published on the Internet by governments in four countries (the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Canada).
Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has existed in name for over 70 years. It is practiced in many countries and it is studied in academia around the world. However, CSR is not a universally adopted concept as it is understood differentially despite increasing pressures for its incorporation into business practices. This lack of a clear definition is complicated by the use of ambiguous terms in the proffered definitions and disputes as to where corporate governance is best addressed by many of the national bodies legislating, mandating, or recommending CSR. This article explores the definitions of CSR as published on the Internet by governments in four countries (United Kingdom (UK), France, the United States, and Canada). We look for a consensus of understanding in an attempt to propose a more universal framework to enhance international adoption and practice of CSR using the triple bottom line. Our results concur with the findings of both national and international bodies and suggest that both within and among the countries in our study there exists no clear definition of the concept of CSR. While there are some similarities, there are substantial differences that must be addressed. We present a number of proposals for a more universal framework to define CSR.
309 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a critical realist analysis of trust/control relations within and between complex organizations is presented, which suggests that trust relations are most usefully seen as structures of interrelated ''positioned-practices'' which generate, shape and constrain the development of contrasting forms of expert power in a range of organizational contexts.
Abstract: This paper develops a critical realist analysis of trust/control relations within and between complex organizations. It suggests that trust/control relations are most usefully seen as structures of interrelated `positioned-practices' which generate, shape and constrain the development of contrasting forms of expert power in a range of organizational contexts. The paper opens with a general overview of a number of currently influential theoretical perspectives on trust/control relations in social and organizational analysis. It then proceeds to advance a critical realist analysis of trust/control relations as generative mechanisms that govern, but do not determine, the production, reproduction and transformation of expert power. The explanatory significance of this realist analysis is illustrated by reference to a limited number of historical and institutional case studies on expert technologies and practices
302 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors aim to clarify the relationship between organisational structures and individual brand supporting behaviour by modelling the social transformation process and outlining why and how leadership is important throughout the internal brand building process.
Abstract: Purpose – The paper aims to clarify the relationship between organisational structures and individual brand supporting behaviour. It proposes modelling the social transformation process and outlining why and how leadership is important throughout the internal brand building process. The study aims to expand the domain of corporate branding by including a broader range of human resource and leadership‐related aspects than is normally found in the branding literature.Design/methodology/approach – The paper opted for an exploratory study using the open‐ended approach of grounded theory, including 30 depth interviews and one expert group discussion with employees representing middle and senior management having mainly a marketing and corporate communications background. The data were complemented by documentary analysis, including brand documents, descriptions of internal processes, and copies of employee magazine articles.Findings – The paper provides empirical insights about how change is brought about duri...
293 citations
Cites background or methods from "Realist social theory : the morphog..."
...We seek to build on these concepts, complementing the framework with Archer’s (1995) work on morphogenetics, to model the social transformation process to understand why and how leadership is important throughout the internal brand building process....
[...]
...However, Archer (1995) raises the question: “Why do some forms of social reproduction succeed and become institutionalised, and others do not?”....
[...]
...Leadership and change To explore the issue of social transformation and the role of leaders in this process, we draw on Archer’s morphogenetic approach. Archer (1995), like Giddens (1984a), stresses that the incorporation of time is crucial to the examination of the interplay between structure and agency....
[...]
TL;DR: This paper argued that the relevance of Bourdieu's habitus began to decrease toward the end of the 20th century, given major changes in the structures of the advanced capitalist democracies.
Abstract: Many scholars continue to accord routine action a central role in social theory and defend the continuing relevance of Bourdieu's habitus. Simultaneously, most recognize the importance of reflexivity. In this article, I consider three versions of the effort to render these concepts compatible, which I term "empirical combination," "hybridization," and "ontological and theoretical reconciliation." None of the efforts is ultimately successful in analytical terms. Moreover, I argue on empirical grounds that the relevance of habitus began to decrease toward the end of the 20th century, given major changes in the structures of the advanced capitalist democracies. In these circumstances, habitual forms prove incapable of providing guidelines for people's lives and, thus, make reflexivity imperative. I conclude by arguing that even the reproduction of natal background is a reflexive activity today and that the mode most favorable to producing it-what I call "communicative reflexivity"-is becoming harder to sustain.
284 citations
Book•
23 Apr 2012TL;DR: In this article, social ontology is used to describe cultures, classes, and classes in the context of social ontologies, and knowledge is used as a criterion for knowledge in the social Ontology.
Abstract: Part I. Social Ontology: 1. Introduction 2. Norm circles Part II. Culture: 3. Culture and rules 4. Institutional reality Part III. Language: 5. Signification 6. Langue and parole 7. Categories, essences and sexes Part IV. Discourse: 8. Discourse 9. Cultures and classes 10. Subjects Part V. Knowledge: 11. Knowledge 12. Reality 13. Conclusion.
283 citations