1. After ANT: Complexity, Naming and Topology: John Law (Lancaster University). 2. On Recalling Bruno Latour (Ecole des Mines de Paris). 3. Perpetuum Mobile: Substance, Force the Sociology of Translation: Steven D. Brown (Keele University) Rose Capdevila (Nene University College). 4. From Blindness to blindness: Museums, Heterogeneity Subject: Kevin Hetherington (Brunel 5. Ontological Politics: A Word Some Questions: Annemarie Mol (Twente 6. Who Pays? Can We Pay Them Back?: Nick Lee Paul...

If history matters for organization theory, then we need greater reflexivity regarding the epistemological problem of representing past; otherwise, might be seen as merely a repository ready-made data. To facilitate this reflexivity, set out three dualisms derived from historical theory to explain relationship between and theory: (1) in dualism explanation, historians are preoccupied with narrative construction, whereas theorists subordinate analysis; (2) evidence, use verifiable documentary...

Introduction - Martin Parker and John Hassard Postmodernism Organizational Analysis An Overview PART ONE: TOWARDS POSTMODERNISM From Interpretation to Representation Paul Jeffcutt Deconstruction in the Study of Organizations Steve Linstead Eco Bunnymen Gibson Burrell TWO: DEBATES WITH Modernism, Motivation, Or Why Expectancy Theory Failed Come Up Expectation Pippa Carter Norman Jackson What Can Organization Management Learn from Art? Dag Bj[um]orkegren The Play Metaphors Mats Alvesson...

In recent years the approach to social theory known as Actor-Network Theory (ANT) has been adopted within a range of science fields. Despite its popularity, ANT is considered controversial in that it appears promote sociological perspective lacks substantive political critique. This argued be particularly true ANT’s ‘translations’ management and organization studies (MOS). this article, we argue ‘ANT After’ literature offers potential develop such particular suggest presents opportunity an...

ABSTRACT An enduring concern within management and organization studies (MOS) is how to conduct research from perspectives deemed ‘alternatives’ those of functionalism positivism. Our aim address this with regard an approach employed by Karen Legge in on knowledge workers, namely that actor‐network theory (ANT) (or the ‘sociology translation’). Following introduction ANT, views some its key proponents, Legge's own use approach, paper presents critical notes five issues related production ANT...

The paper describes a new methodology for organizational analysis, multiple paradigm research. A case study is presented which uses the Burrell and Morgan (1979) model as framework producing four accounts of work behaviour in British Fire Service. Details these — functionalist, interpretive, radical humanist structuralist are presented, findings compared. Some problems associated with method discussed.

The concept of culture promised to make organization studies more historical. This promise has not been fulfilled. Possible reasons for the failure integrate business history and are explored a synthesis developed, using historical invented tradition in conjunction with social cognition biases identified by organizational culture. major part article then demonstrates how Cadbury, British confectionery company well known its Quaker traditions, corporate attributing significance beliefs...

Lean thinking has recently re-emerged as a fashionable management philosophy, especially in public services. A prescriptive or mainstream literature suggests that lean is rapidly diffusing into sector environments, providing much-needed rethink of traditional ways working and stimulating performance improvements. Our study the introduction large UK hospital challenges this argument. Based on three-year ethnographic how employees make sense ‘adoption’, we describe process which ideas were...

In primary accounts of the Hawthorne Studies (1924–32), host organization, Western Electric, is treated as a largely anonymous actor. Through case-based historical research we find such treatment masks distinctive profile company in years preceding and encompassing investigations. Besides its significant industrial standing, when Western’s reputation for welfare capitalism considered alongside tragedy that galvanizes workforce, emerges an iconic manufacturer with singular cultural...

As a synthesis of organization theory and historiography, the field organizational history is mature enough to contribute wider theoretical historiographical debates sufficiently developed for consideration its subject matter. In this introduction Special Topic Forum on History Organization Studies, we take up question, "What history?" consider three distinct arguments that believe frame next phase development historical work within studies. First, argue following "historic turn," has as...

The Burrell and Morgan model for classifying organization theory is revisited through meta-theoretical analysis of the major intellectual movement to emerge in recent decades, post-structuralism more broadly postmodernism. Proposing a retrospective paradigm this movement, we suggest that its research can be characterized as ontologically relativist, epistemologically relationist methodologically reflexive; also represents termed deconstructionist view human nature. When explored further,...

Abstract This paper explores the professionalization project of paramedics, based on an ethnographic study UK N ational H ealth S ervice ( NHS ) ambulance personnel. Drawing concepts derived from institutional theory and sociology professions, we argue that is enacted at two levels, namely a formal, structural senior level reflecting changing legitimation demands made practitioners pursued through entrepreneurship, informal, agentic, ‘street level’ by themselves via ‘institutional work’....

The historic turn in organization studies has led to greater appreciation of the potential contribution from historical research. However, there is increasing emphasis on integrating history into studies, rather than recognizing how accommodating might require a reorientation. As result, key conceptual and methodological insights historiography have been overlooked or at times misrepresented. We identify four modes enquiry that highlight distinctions about ‘how conceptualize’ research’ past....

We develop two related Actor-Network Theory (ANT) arguments for organizational analysis. The first concerns research strategy and draws upon Latour's (1999) notion of definitional `sliding' to describe how ANT overcomes its analytical limitations by removing conditions that exclude the `other'. Through this discussion, we argue that, research-wise, appears be ontologically relativist, in permitting world organized differentially, yet empirically realist providing `theory-laden' descriptions...

abstract Based on qualitative interviews (n = 64) within five UK organizations that have embarked large‐scale restructuring (including delayering, downsizing, culture change, role redesign, lean production) we argue middle managers are currently experiencing significant and progressive work personal pressures. Performance is monitored more closely, hours intensity of increasing, roles tasks changing frequently, prospects for promotion downscaled flattened hierarchies. Whereas report...

We propose a distinction between historical neo-institutionalism – the use of research to advance neo-institutionalist theory, and history theory illuminate historiography. In first part article we compare recognized exemplars for with few examples that could find resembling history. demonstrate subordination formal methods in means it is limited analyzing particular types sources, such as published periodicals. By contrast, uses primary sources are more familiar business historians,...