Pragmatism and Organization Studies

Research in organization and management criticizes the mainstream view of organizations as decision-making and information-processing structures. This book argues that Pragmatist thought can contribute to these approaches by offering a radical critique of dualisms, developing key concepts such as inquiry, semiotic mediation, habit, abduction, trans-action, and valuation, and making pragmatist key notions accessible to scholars and managers.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 370 pages
\n Publication date: 22 February 2018
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Numerous research streams in organization and management have critiqued the conventional perception of organizations as decision-making and information-processing entities, governed by rational representations (substantive or procedural rationality). Despite their divergences, these research streams share several fundamental theoretical principles: their processual view of organizing as a continuous process of becoming, their emphasis on the crucial role of action and its meaningfulness, their interest in the agency of artifacts and objects, the exploratory and inquisitive nature of organizing.

In this book, we argue that pragmatist thought can contribute to these approaches, offering both a general intellectual orientation and a conceptual toolbox. As a general attitude, pragmatism develops a radical critique of various dualisms that often hinder organization studies, such as thought and action, design and utilization, decision and execution, reality and representation, to name a few. As a conceptual toolbox, pragmatism can contribute to and clarify key concepts for organization and management studies, such as inquiry, semiotic mediation, habit, abduction, trans-action, and valuation.

However, pragmatist thought remains relatively unknown among organization and management scholars and reflective managers. The proposed book aims to make pragmatist key notions accessible to them and applicable to theorize organizations and transform managerial practices.

\n Weight: 596g\n
Dimension: 159 x 234 x 24 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198753513\n \n