|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
Modernism, Postmodernism and Organizational Analysis: An Introduction
Robert Cooper
Department of Behaviour in Organizations, University of Lancaster, U.K.
Gibson Burrell
Department of Behaviour in Organizations, University of Lancaster, U.K.
The paper introduces the current debate in the human sciences between the opposing conceptual positions of 'modernism' and 'postmodernism' and discusses its implications for organizational analysis. The debate focusses on the nature of 'discourse' (information, knowledge, communication) and its role in social systems. The discourse of modernism rests on transcendent yet anthropocentric criteria such as 'progress' and 'reason' which are varyingly exemplified in the work of Bell, Luhmann and Habermas. In contrast, postmodern discourse (represented here mainly by the work of Lyotard, Derrida, Foucault, Deleuze and Guattari) analyzes social life in terms of paradox and indeterminacy, thus rejecting the human agent as the centre of rational control and understanding. The paper then considers two contrasting views of the organizing process which follow from these opposing approaches to discourse. In the modernist model, organization is viewed as a social tool and an extension of human rationality. In the postmodern view, organization is less the expression of planned thought and calculative action and a more defensive reaction to forces intrinsic to the social body which constantly threaten the stability of organized life. The implications of the latter view for orthodox organizational analysis are discussed in some detail.
Organization Studies, Vol. 9, No. 1,
91-112 (1988)
DOI: 10.1177/017084068800900112
 CiteULike  Complore  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
|
|
 
S. Fox
'This Interpreted World': Two Turns to the Social in Management Learning
Management Learning,
September 1, 2009;
40(4):
371 - 378.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Andriessen and C. Gubbins
Metaphor Analysis as an Approach for Exploring Theoretical Concepts: The Case of Social Capital
Organization Studies,
August 1, 2009;
30(8):
845 - 863.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. L. Cunliffe
The Philosopher Leader: On Relationalism, Ethics and Reflexivity--A Critical Perspective to Teaching Leadership
Management Learning,
February 1, 2009;
40(1):
87 - 101.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. D. Miller
Organizational Risk after Modernism
Organization Studies,
February 1, 2009;
30(2-3):
157 - 180.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Islam, M. J. Zyphur, and D. Boje
Carnival and Spectacle in Krewe de Vieux and the Mystic Krewe of Spermes: The Mingling of Organization and Celebration
Organization Studies,
December 1, 2008;
29(12):
1565 - 1589.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Slutskaya and C. De Cock
The Body Dances: Carnival Dance and Organization
Organization,
November 1, 2008;
15(6):
851 - 868.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. Cooren, B. H.J.M. Brummans, and D. Charrieras
The coproduction of organizational presence: A study of Medecins Sans Frontieres in action
Human Relations,
October 1, 2008;
61(10):
1339 - 1370.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. P. O'Doherty
The Blur Sensation: Shadows of the Future
Organization,
July 1, 2008;
15(4):
535 - 561.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. P. O'Doherty
The Question of Theoretical Excess: Folly and Fall in theorizing Organization
Organization,
November 1, 2007;
14(6):
837 - 867.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Hjorth and P. Pelzer
The Fate of Phaeton: Baroque Art for Management's Sake?
Organization,
November 1, 2007;
14(6):
869 - 886.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Harding
On Lacan and the `Becoming-ness' of Organizations/Selves
Organization Studies,
November 1, 2007;
28(11):
1761 - 1773.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Linstead and T. Thanem
Multiplicity, Virtuality and Organization: The Contribution of Gilles Deleuze
Organization Studies,
October 1, 2007;
28(10):
1483 - 1501.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. W. Cox and J. Hassard
Ties to the Past in Organization Research: A Comparative Analysis of Retrospective Methods
Organization,
July 1, 2007;
14(4):
475 - 497.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. L. Jue
The Demise and Reawakening of Spirituality in Western Entrepreneurship
Journal of Human Values,
April 1, 2007;
13(1):
1 - 11.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Cairns
Aesthetics, Morality and Power: Design as Espoused Freedom and Implicit Control
Human Relations,
July 1, 2002;
55(7):
799 - 820.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. L. Cunliffe
Social Poetics as Management Inquiry: A Dialogical Approach
Journal of Management Inquiry,
June 1, 2002;
11(2):
128 - 146.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. W. Lewis and M. L. Kelemen
Multiparadigm Inquiry: Exploring Organizational Pluralism and Paradox
Human Relations,
February 1, 2002;
55(2):
251 - 275.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Tsoukas and M. J. Hatch
Complex Thinking, Complex Practice: The Case for a Narrative Approach to Organizational Complexity
Human Relations,
August 1, 2001;
54(8):
979 - 1013.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. A. Welcomer, D. A. Gioia, and M. Kilduff
Resisting the Discourse of Modernity: Rationality Versus Emotion in Hazardous Waste Siting
Human Relations,
September 1, 2000;
53(9):
1175 - 1205.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. N. Carr and L. A. Zanetti
The Emergence of a Surrealist Movement and its Vital `Estrangement-Effect' in Organization Studies
Human Relations,
July 1, 2000;
53(7):
891 - 921.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Alvesson and D. Karreman
Taking the Linguistic Turn in Organizational Research: Challenges, Responses, Consequences
Journal of Applied Behavioral Science,
June 1, 2000;
36(2):
136 - 158.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. J. Tyrell
Wondering about Critical Management Studies: A Review of and Commentary on Selected Texts Patty Sotirin
Management Communication Quarterly,
November 1, 1998;
12(2):
303 - 336.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. E. Dehler
`Relevance' in Management Research: A Critical Reappraisal
Management Learning,
March 1, 1998;
29(1):
69 - 89.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Calori
Essai: Philosophizing on Strategic Management Models
Organization Studies,
March 1, 1998;
19(2):
281 - 306.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. Keenoy, C. Oswick, and D. Grant
Organizational Discourses: Text and Context
Organization,
May 1, 1997;
4(2):
147 - 157.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. R. Wolfram Cox
Manufacturing the Past: Loss and Absence in Organizational Change
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1997;
18(4):
623 - 654.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X. Leflaive
Organizations as Structures of Domination
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1996;
17(1):
23 - 47.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Alvesson
The Meaning and Meaninglessness of Postmodernism: Some Ironic Remarks
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1995;
16(6):
1047 - 1075.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. V. Rosenau
Health Politics Meets Post-Modernism: Its Meaning and Implications for Community Health Organizing
Journal of Health Politics Policy and Law,
June 1, 1994;
19(2):
303 - 333.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Burrell
Modernism, Postmodernism and Organizational Analysis 4: The Contribution of Jurgen Habermas
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1994;
15(1):
1 - 19.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.-F. Chanlat
Francophone Organizational Analysis (1950-1990): An Overview
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1994;
15(1):
47 - 79.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. A. Capper and M. T Jamison
Research News And Comment: Let the Buyer Beware: Total Quality Management and Educational Research and Practice
Educational Researcher,
November 1, 1993;
22(8):
25 - 30.
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. R. Scott
Recent Developments in Organizational Sociology
Acta Sociologica,
January 1, 1993;
36(1):
63 - 68.
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Parker
Post-Modern Organizations or Postmodern Organization Theory?
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1992;
13(1):
001 - 17.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Tsoukas
Postmodernism, Reflexive Rationalism and Organizational Studies: A Reply to Martin Parker
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1992;
13(4):
643 - 649.
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. K. Mumby and C. Stohl
Power and Discourse in Organization Studies: Absence and the Dialectic of Control
Discourse Society,
July 1, 1991;
2(3):
313 - 332.
[Abstract]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Jackson and P. Carter
In Defence of Paradigm Incommensurability
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1991;
12(1):
109 - 127.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. B. Calas and L. Smircich
Voicing Seduction to Silence Leadership
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1991;
12(4):
567 - 601.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Cooper
Modernism, Post Modernism and Organizational Analysis 3: The Contribution of Jacques Derrida
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1989;
10(4):
479 - 502.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Burrell
Modernism, Post Modernism and Organizational Analysis 2: The Contribution of Michel Foucault
Organization Studies,
January 1, 1988;
9(2):
221 - 235.
[Abstract]
[PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
