ABSTRACT

Social theorists speculate about large-scale social questions, asking of any phenomenon, how is it possible? This book addresses how various social theories contribute key insights into the nature of organizations and management.

The cast of characters to be found in this book have had a transcendental impact, including on the practices of the management and organization disciplines. For students, however, engaging with social theory in a conversation that is much broader and potentially richer than those that may have been previously encountered is not at first easy. The question is where to begin: this book provides answers.

Drawing on research from international contributors, this valuable textbook is an essential resource for students and introduces key social theories and theorists making them accessible to a management audience. The chapters include objectives and end-of-chapter reflective questions, as well as a glossary for readers grappling with new terms.

chapter 3|21 pages

Actor-network theory

Michel Callon, Bruno Latour, John Law

chapter 5|18 pages

Morphogenesis and reflexivity

Margaret Archer, critical realism and organizational analysis

chapter 6|17 pages

Pierre Bourdieu and elites

Making the hidden visible 1

chapter 9|27 pages

Norbert Elias and organizational analysis

Towards process-figurational theory

chapter 11|20 pages

Organizing Michel Foucault

Power, knowledge and governmentality

chapter 13|12 pages

Judith Butler and performativity

chapter 15|19 pages

Liquefying modernity

Zygmunt Bauman as organization theorist 1

chapter 16|14 pages

Management, organizations and contemporary social theory

An index of possibilities 1